Vaccination Programme

Tuesday, 12 July 2022

Questions (202, 932, 1023, 1044, 1052)

Réada Cronin

Question:

202. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health when a second Covid booster will be available to the broadest possible vaccine eligible population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37457/22]

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Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

932. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health when Covid-19 vaccines will be again offered to persons in the 60 to 65 years age group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37605/22]

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James O'Connor

Question:

1023. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the roll-out of the second Covid-19 booster to persons over 60 years of age (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37903/22]

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Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1044. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to vaccinate dentists and doctors (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37980/22]

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Brendan Griffin

Question:

1052. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a booster vaccine will be rolled out to dental staff (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37994/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 202, 932, 1023, 1044 and 1052 together.

Ireland's COVID-19 vaccination programme is based on the principles of safety, effectiveness and fairness, with the objective of reducing severe illness, hospitalisations and deaths from COVID-19 infection.

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 the Department of Health based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practices in relation to immunisation.

Following the recommendation for use of vaccines against COVID-19 by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and authorisation for use by the European Commission, the NIAC develops guidance for their use in Ireland which is contained in the Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland. These guidelines are continuously updated and include guidance on all new vaccines as they are approved for use in Ireland.

You can view the guidelines here: www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/hcpinfo/guidelines/covid19.pdf

The NIAC has recently advised a second booster dose for people over 65 and people with a weak immune system aged 12 and over. The Committee will continue to examine emerging evidence regarding booster vaccines for others in the population where there is evidence of waning immunity and reduced effectiveness and will make further recommendations if required.