Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
1585. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health when Covid-19 vaccines will be made available to persons aged 12 to 18 with an underlying condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34368/21]
View answer1619. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health when vaccination will commence for those aged between 12 and 15 who are deemed at very high risk of severe disease in line with the European Medicines Agency approval for the use of a vaccine (details supplied) for the age group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34502/21]
View answer1675. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to administer a vaccine (details supplied) to young persons with conditions, syndromes or illnesses who are particularly vulnerable should they contract the Covid-19 virus in view of his recent acknowledgement as good news that the European Medical Agency and others have approved the vaccine for use in the 12 to 15 year olds cohort; if so, when this will happen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34912/21]
View answer1695. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health when vulnerable children aged between 12 and 15 years of age will be offered vaccination against Covid-19; the NIAC advice in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34981/21]
View answer1708. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health when children under the age of 16 who suffer from severe cystic fibrosis that have been absent from the in-school setting since March 2020 will be considered eligible to avail of a Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35043/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1585, 1619, 1675, 1695 and 1708 together.
Ireland welcomes the European Medicines Agency age extension recommendations for the COVID-19 vaccines Comirnaty (Pfizer/BioNTech) and Spikevax (Moderna) to include use in children 12+. The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) has reviewed the matter and recommended that the Vaccination Programme is extended to encompass the vaccination of children aged between 12-15 years of age. The NIAC advice recommends that all those aged 12–15 years should be offered an mRNA vaccine.
