Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
2399. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which he is in the process of coordinating the Covid-19 vaccination programme with a view to ensuring the most expeditious and strategic delivery of the most appropriate vaccines at the earliest possible time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7375/21]
View answer2547. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which additional efforts are being made to ensure the availability of the Covid-19 vaccination to the remaining cohort of persons not vaccinated to date; if he will ensure the rapid attention to such cases in order to facilitate the safe early reopening of the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38105/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2399 and 2547 together.
The Government established the High-Level Task Force (HLTF) on Covid-19 Vaccination on 10 November 2020. The HLTF acts to support my Department and the HSE to deliver a Covid-19 immunisation programme, that meets best practice and provides good governance, as a critical public health intervention in the prevention and control of Covid-19.
In collaboration with my Department and the HSE, the HLTF developed the National Covid-19 Vaccination Strategy, and this was approved by Government on 15 December 2020. The Strategy’s objective has been to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of vaccines to the population.
The Covid-19 Vaccination Allocation Strategy was developed in conjunction with the National Covid-19 Vaccine Strategy. The Allocation Strategy was developed by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee’s (NIAC) and outlined a provisional list of groups for vaccination and was approved by Government on 8 December 2020. The Allocation Strategy has been kept under review in the intervening period and amended as new evidence emerged.
More than 5.3 million vaccine doses have now been administered since the programme began in December 2020. Over 3 million have received a vaccine dose while more than 2.3 million have received two doses. It is currently anticipated that all eligible persons over 16 years who wish to avail of a vaccine will be vaccinated by end-September.
