Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 April 2021
103. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he will consider giving persons in the 60 to 69 age group that are currently being given the Covid-19 vaccine a greater choice regarding the vaccine that they will be given. [22368/21]
View answer137. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of some high risk and vulnerable persons in relation to taking a vaccine (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to comments by some experts on the lower efficacy and poorer performance of the vaccine against new variants; if he will facilitate older age cohorts for whom the vaccine is being reserved the right and option to request an alternative vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22509/21]
View answer138. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will facilitate the request of any person with a history of or a condition that makes them susceptible to blood clotting to opt for another vaccine other than a particular vaccine (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22510/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 103, 137 and 138 together.
While a person can, of course, refuse any offer of vaccination on religious, conscientious or other grounds, provision of one or other authorised COVID-19 vaccine(s) during the immunisation programme will be based on clinical expert guidance, including from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee, to ensure the optimal stewardship of scarce resources and equitable access to safe and effective vaccine(s) for a given population.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
