Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 November 2021
547. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health when persons with underlying conditions such as type 1 diabetes will be eligible to get a Covid-19 booster vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55702/21]
View answer548. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the scheduling of booster vaccines for persons with diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55708/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 547 and 548 together.
The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The NIAC makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practices in relation to immunisation.
More than 7.6 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have now been administered since the programme began in December last year. As the first phase of vaccination nears completion, the NIAC has been examining evidence regarding booster vaccines.
The NIAC has recommended that a booster dose of an mRNA vaccine (irrespective of whether the primary vaccination course was of an mRNA or adenoviral vector) be offered to those aged 60 years and older and healthcare workers. The booster dose should be given after an interval of six months (or at least five months) following the last dose of any authorised COVID-19 vaccine. I have accepted this advice and the HSE has made the necessary arrangements to operationalise these recommendations with the booster rollout now underway.
The NIAC has also recommended an additional mRNA dose should be given to those aged 12 years and older with immunocompromise associated with a suboptimal response to vaccination who have completed their primary vaccination course. The third dose of an mRNA vaccine should be given a minimum of two months after the last dose of the primary vaccination schedule.
You can view the NIAC recommendations regarding those with immunocompromise associated with a suboptimal response at the below link. rcpi-live-cdn.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Recommendations-re-additional-COVID-19-vaccine-dose-for-those-with-Immunocompromise-FINAL-30082021.pdf
The NIAC continues to examine emerging evidence regarding booster vaccines for those with waning immunity and reduced effectiveness in other groups, such as those with co-morbidities (under 60 years of age) and will make further recommendations if required.
