Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 September 2021
336. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine booster programme for vulnerable persons; the way appointments will be issued; the basis on which vulnerable patients are being decided; the criteria being used to determine the higher risk category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47234/21]
View answer338. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the timelines for the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine booster programme for all vulnerable persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47236/21]
View answer343. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the details of the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine booster programme for vulnerable persons; the way in which appointments will be issued; the basis upon which vulnerable patients are being decided; the criteria being used to determine the higher risk category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47261/21]
View answer345. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the details of the timelines for the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine booster programme for all vulnerable persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47263/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 336, 338, 343 and 345 together.
On 8 September, I announced an update to the Covid-19 vaccination programme following further advice from the NIAC. The Committee has recommended a booster dose of an mRNA vaccine (irrespective of whether the primary vaccination course was of an mRNA or adenoviral vector) for residents aged 65 years and older living in Long Term Residential Care Facilities and for those aged 80 years and older living in the community. I have accepted this advice and the HSE has been requested to make the necessary arrangements to operationalise the recommendations. The NIAC continues to examine emerging evidence regarding booster vaccines for those with waning immunity and reduced effectiveness in other groups.
As the logistics of the rollout are a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
