Catherine Murphy
Question:1738. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he or NIAC have considered evidence relating to risk from exposure in the alteration of the priority list. [18848/21]
View answerWednesday, 21 April 2021
Questions (1738)
Written answers
The aims of the vaccination programme are to ensure equitable access to safe and effective vaccines with the goals of limiting severe disease and death from COVID-19, protecting healthcare capacity and enabling social and economic activity.
The general approach taken by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) to prioritisation to help with planning for vaccine implementation is based on:
1. disease burden and severity in risk groups;
2. impact on society;
3. vaccine specific information; and
4. moral equality of the person, minimising harm, fairness, and reciprocity.
Evidence on transmission of COVID-19 following COVID-19 vaccination is limited. The main vaccine efficacy trials were not designed for this purpose. Evidence from Israel and the UK indicates that there is a reduction in infection in vaccinated individuals. Following vaccination, breakthrough infection is rare and when it occurs, there are lower levels of virus and a shorter duration of viral shedding. All of this reduces the likelihood of onward transmission.
At present, there is insufficient evidence on transmission to redirect the vaccination programme to focus primarily on interruption of transmission as prevention. Thus, the primary focus of the programme remains prevention of hospitalisation, severe disease and death.
There is no evidence to show a significantly increased risk of severe COVID-19 disease, independent of age and other comorbidities, in any occupational group to prioritise them for vaccination above their age-cohort.
In relation to exposure, all persons are advised to adhere to public health advice in relation to reducing risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 by maintaining a distance of 2 metres, wearing a mask, washing hands, respiratory and cough etiquette, keeping contacts to a minimum, and avoiding non-essential travel, all of which have been shown to reduce the risk of exposure to the virus.