David Cullinane
Question:774. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if NPHET assessed the risk to public health posed by vaccine inequity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6617/22]
View answerTuesday, 8 February 2022
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Pandemics by their nature transcend national boundaries. Mounting an effective response, therefore, involves international cooperation and a need for global solidarity in addressing threats posed by a pandemic. Reducing virus circulation, preventing the spread of new viral variants, protecting the vulnerable and ultimately decreasing suffering and death will only be achieved through strong cooperative efforts at the international level. The COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy developed by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and the Department of Health, was endorsed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) and approved by Government on 8th December 2020. Equity is a central pillar of the Irish Vaccination Allocation Strategy and is a critical consideration in decisions regarding distribution and administration of COVID-19 vaccines to ensure that existing health inequalities are not perpetuated or exacerbated. Moral equality is a key principle underpinning the Allocation Framework for Equitable Access to COVID-19 vaccines, approved by NPHET.
In line with the principles of equity and moral equality, Ireland has committed to the donation of up to five million COVID-19 vaccine doses through the COVAX vaccine initiative and bilateral arrangements with recipient countries. To date, arrangements are in place for the donation of 2.9 million doses. Over 1.5 million doses have already been delivered to recipient countries including Uganda, Nigeria, Indonesia and Ghana. Additional vaccine deliveries are expected to follow shortly.