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Vaccination Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021

Wednesday, 24 March 2021

Questions (1423, 1483, 1508, 1509, 1521, 1538, 1540)

Johnny Mythen

Question:

1423. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the current position of the Irish Coast Guard with regard to the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out; when this cohort can expect to receive the vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14167/21]

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Richard Bruton

Question:

1483. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if the risk profile of Garda work has been evaluated in the context of vaccination priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14383/21]

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Neale Richmond

Question:

1508. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he has engaged with the HSE as to when front-line gardaí can expect to receive their Covid-19 vaccines; the timeline of the roll-out to this group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14496/21]

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Neale Richmond

Question:

1509. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health when gardaí working on the front-line can expect to receive the Covid-19 vaccine; if they will receive the vaccine in their role as essential and key workers; the estimated timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14497/21]

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Mark Ward

Question:

1521. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the priority of members of An Garda Síochána on the vaccine roll-out; the criteria used to decide same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14537/21]

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Mark Ward

Question:

1538. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health his views on a statement by an association (details supplied). [14594/21]

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Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

1540. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to concerns raised by a member of An Garda Síochána (details supplied) in respect of their current designation in the vaccine roll-out list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14599/21]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1423, 1483, 1508, 1509, 1521, 1538 and 1540 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.

The ongoing review process will continue to look at the other priority groups yet to be vaccinated, along with the competing needs of those working or living in high-risk situations, carers who deliver essential services to highly dependent individuals in the home setting, and those who are socially vulnerable/disadvantaged.

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.

Question No. 1424 answered with Question No. 1345.
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