Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 December 2020
572. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the way in which the vaccine task force is defining housing overcrowding; if it will include persons living in direct provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43318/20]
View answerI presume the Deputy is referring to the COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy.
The Strategy sets out a provisional priority list of groups for vaccination once a safe and effective vaccine(s) has received authorisation from the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
The Strategy was developed by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and Department of Health, endorsed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and approved by Government on 8 December 2020.
The Allocation Framework was developed to consider how to prioritise different groups. It is based on (1) ethical principles and (2) epidemiological considerations, and takes account of the current and evolving understanding of distinctive characteristics of COVID-19 disease, its modes of transmission, the groups and individuals most susceptible to infection and the characteristics of the candidate vaccines. The primary aim of the allocation strategy is focus on the prevention of sickness and mortality, and to preserve the health of people, by prioritising those at highest risk.
The Strategy is a further component to the State’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and will evolve and adapt with more detailed information on the vaccines and their effectiveness.
With the benefit of the Vaccine Allocation Strategy approved by Government, the HSE, in conjunction with immunisation experts, is evaluating the further stratification and sequencing of specific cohorts, including those living in direct provision, for vaccination.
Further information on the Strategy can be found at: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/39038-provisional-vaccine-allocation-groups/
