Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 March 2021
194. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the reason carers are not considered healthcare workers in relation to the Covid-19 vaccination roll-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12230/21]
View answerCarers who are healthcare workers are at a very high or high risk of exposure to and/or transmission of the virus (in the first wave of the pandemic, over 30% cases were in healthcare workers).
Whereas, family carers operate in a completely different and more controlled environment and do not have the same risk of exposure to and/or transmission of the virus. They can minimise their contacts, employ physical distancing, hand washing, respiratory and cough etiquette and, hence, minimise their risk of infection and, thereby, the risk of transmitting infection to a vulnerable person.
