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Vaccination Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021

Wednesday, 24 March 2021

Questions (1300, 1326, 1431)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

1300. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the position of persons with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease in the vaccine priority list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13879/21]

View answer

Bernard Durkan

Question:

1326. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when patients with inflammatory bowel disease will be called for vaccination against Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13944/21]

View answer

Réada Cronin

Question:

1431. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health when persons living with irritable bowel disease and taking the immunosuppressant adalimumab will be vaccinated against Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14195/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1300, 1326 and 1431 together.

On the 23rd of February 2021, I announced an update to Ireland’s COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy.  

In comprising the initial Vaccine Allocation Strategy, the NIAC listed several conditions associated with increased risk of severe disease and death. In the intervening period, national and international evidence has become available which has enabled a more detailed analysis of underlying conditions that may increase the risk of developing severe disease or death.

The NIAC has now been able to more comprehensively identify those medical conditions and to distinguish between those which place a person at very high or high risk of severe disease if they contract the virus. Medical conditions and the magnitude of the risk they pose will continue to be monitored and periodically reviewed.  

The NIAC continues to monitor data around this disease and indeed emerging data on effectiveness of vaccines on a rolling basis. Further details are available at the following link: 

https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/b44b2-minister-donnelly-announces-update-to-vaccine-allocation-strategy/

The next cohort to be vaccinated (Cohort 4) are those aged 16-69 and at very high risk of severe illness and death. Vaccination of this group began in March.  

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. It is recommended that the individuals concerned discuss this with their treating physician who is in the best position to give appropriate advice. 

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.

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