Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022
1680. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to correspondence received (details supplied) in relation to Covid recovery certificates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1317/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, new EU rules will come into effect from 1 February 2022, with a new 9-month maximum validity period for EU Digital COVID Certificates based on a completed primary vaccination regime. Updated Digital COVID Certificates are being issued to those who have received an additional vaccine dose. It is important to note that the change from the 1 February is in relation to international travel, no decision has been taken in relation to vaccination certificates for domestic use. I can also confirm that the recovery certificate remains valid for 180 days after the day of the positive test result.
I am not aware of the HSE stating that natural immunity is lifelong as outlined in the details attached to this question. At the request of the NPHET, HIQA previously undertook a number of evidence reviews on the duration of immunity (protection from reinfection) following SARS-CoV-2 infection, the most recent of which was published in November 2021. At that time, HIQA advised that the then current national public health policy which assumed a period of protective immunity of nine months post-infection with SARS-CoV-2 should not be changed. This report is available here - www.hiqa.ie/reports-and-publications/health-technology-assessment/duration-protective-immunity-protection.
Public health guidance in relation to the assumed period of protective immunity has since been updated in the context of the emergence and significant rapid spread of the Omicron variant, to reflect emerging international evidence that the Omicron variant has increased capacity to evade immunity from past infection or vaccination with two vaccine doses as compared with previous variants. It has been estimated by some international studies that the protection against reinfection by Omicron afforded by past infection may be as low as 19%. This is reflected in new guidance for close contacts published by the Government last week.
A rolling summary of international evidence and guidance in relation to Omicron is being undertaken by HIQA and can be accessed here - www.hiqa.ie/reports-and-publications/health-technology-assessment/summaries-evidence-and-international-public.
