Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:665. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if the group responsible for rolling out the Covid-19 vaccine will hold a daily press conference to report on progress. [39764/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 1 December 2020
Ceisteanna (665)
Freagraí scríofa
The Government is committed to the timely implementation of a COVID-19 immunisation programme, as soon as one or more vaccines in the EU portfolio are approved for use. In this regard, a cross-Government High-Level Taskforce has been established to support and oversee the development and implementation of the programme.
In the first instance the Task Force has been requested to ensure the preparation of a national COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy and Implementation Plan for consideration by Government. The Task Force's work includes consideration of the approach to public engagement and communication as a crucial dimension of the planning and delivery of an immunisation programme.
The public communication and engagement strategy has two main phases. The first is preparing for the vaccine - briefing the public about the safety and regulatory processes that are taking place in Ireland, Europe and across the world to ensure vaccine safety, engaging with people who have genuine hesitancies around the vaccine and communicating the Government Plan from acquisition to prioritisation to distribution. The second phase will focus on the execution of the programme once vaccine is available – encouraging the public to get the vaccine, informing them about who will administer it and where, and providing information on the progress of the programme on an ongoing basis.