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Vaccination Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 March 2021

Wednesday, 3 March 2021

Questions (870, 907)

Denise Mitchell

Question:

870. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health if the national immunisation advisory committee considered if persons with anorexia should be included in the severe mental illness category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11614/21]

View answer

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

907. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if severe eating disorders are included in the severe mental illness category of the new cohort 5 in the Covid-19 vaccine allocation strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11758/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 870 and 907 together.

As the Deputy is aware, the Government has approved the revised Vaccine Allocation Strategy developed by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC), in conjunction with the Department of Health, and endorsed by the National Public Health Emergency Team.

Firstly, it is important to emphasise that vaccination is only one part of our response to the prevention of COVID-19 infection. People who are vaccinated need to continue with all the public health measures that have been proven to reduce the risk of infection, i.e., limiting our social contacts, physical distancing, wearing a mask, hand hygiene, cough etiquette and avoiding non-essential travel, until a sufficiently large proportion of the population are immune.

In relation to the initial vaccine allocation strategy, the NIAC listed several medical conditions associated with an increased risk of severe illness and death. In the interim, additional national and international evidence has become available which enables a more detailed examination of specific underlying medical conditions which increase the risk of developing severe disease or dying following infection with SARS-CoV-2. This has allowed NIAC to sub-divide those with specific medical conditions into those at very high-risk and those at high risk of serious disease and death.

In relation to the categories of very high risk and high risk conditions, this list is not exhaustive. It may also include people who have been classed as at very high risk, based on clinical judgement and an assessment of need.

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