Skip to main content
Normal View

Vaccination Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 September 2021

Tuesday, 21 September 2021

Questions (510, 589)

Réada Cronin

Question:

510. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the steps his Department will take to address the situation in which persons who suffered a severe adverse reaction to the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine and are precluded on strict, medical grounds from receiving the second, find themselves through no fault of their own in certification limbo with concomitant negative effects on the practice of their profession and on their employment, such certification matter being inherently discriminatory and denying them equality though they have fulfilled their civic and public health duty (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45006/21]

View answer

Violet-Anne Wynne

Question:

589. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the provisions in place for a person who has been advised to not take the Covid-19 vaccine due to adverse reactions to vaccines as a child; and if a letter from their general practitioner detailing this contraindication medically advised ineligibility for the vaccine will suffice for them in lieu of an EU Digital COVID Certificate and therefore allow them access to restaurants and other indoor spaces when it is required. [44710/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 510 and 589 together.

The current high level of COVID-19 infection and the dominance of the significantly more transmissible Delta variant poses a very substantial threat, particularly to those who are not fully protected through vaccination. The NPHET’s advice remains that those who are not fully vaccinated should avoid congregated indoor settings for their own and others safety.

For this reason, current Government policy, based on the advice of the NPHET, is that certification of immunity is required for indoor hospitality. On 31 August, the Government agreed that during the period between 6 September and 22 October, certification of immunity should be used to access some organised indoor and outdoor events and mass gatherings.

These measures have been implemented on an interim basis and subject to necessary criteria being met, the full reopening of events and activities will take place from 22 October, with certification of immunity as a prerequisite for access to, or engagement in, any activities or events no longer required (with the exception of international travel). However, it is important to note that the public health advice will continue to be that those who have not been fully vaccinated should avoid or exercise very high levels of caution in high-risk environments.

The Deputies may wish to be aware that on 15 July, NIAC made a recommendation, which was endorsed by the Chief Medical Officer and accepted by the Minister for Health that while the preference was for homologous vaccination regimens (using the same vaccine as part of a two dose regime) that selective use of heterologous vaccination schedules (two different vaccines used as part of two dose regime) should be permitted where a second vaccine dose of a homologous regimen is contraindicated, irrespective of whether the first dose was an mRNA or adenoviral vector vaccine. NIAC in conjunction with the RCPI and the Irish Association of Allergy and Immunology have prepared a guide to aid vaccinators and other healthcare workers on how to advise allergic individuals in respect of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, this guide is available here: rcpi-live-cdn.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/FAQs-about-COVID19-Vaccines-and-Allergies_12August2021.pdf

Top
Share