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Vaccination Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 January 2021

Thursday, 21 January 2021

Ceisteanna (387, 398, 431, 437, 463, 464, 465, 466, 471, 473)

Sorca Clarke

Ceist:

387. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the position regarding family carers now considered as likely to be categorised as front-line workers in relation to the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccination; and when a decision on their categorisation will be made. [3226/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

398. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the vaccine allocation group family carers fall under; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3256/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Malcolm Noonan

Ceist:

431. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health the position of carers of children with type 1 diabetes on the list of those to be vaccinated (details supplied); if he will protect this vulnerable group by ensuring that their carers are prioritised on the vaccination list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3314/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Neale Richmond

Ceist:

437. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if family carers will be a priority group to receive the Covid-19 vaccine once healthcare workers and care home residents have been vaccinated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3329/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Robert Troy

Ceist:

463. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if family carers are considered key workers; if they are included in category 6 of the roll-out plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3446/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

464. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if he will include full-time carers as a priority listing under the vaccination roll-out programme. [3448/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

465. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the position of a cohort of persons (details supplied) on the Covid-19 vaccine list; if they will be prioritised as essential works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3449/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Johnny Mythen

Ceist:

466. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the position of family carers on the list in relation to receiving the Covid-19 vaccine injection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3450/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

471. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if priority is being afforded to family carers as part of the Covid-19 programme given the important role they play is protecting vulnerable members of society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3485/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

473. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health when family carers will receive Covid-19 vaccinations. [3494/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 387, 398, 431, 437, 463 to 466, inclusive, 471 and 473 together.

The COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy sets out a provisional list of groups for vaccination. The Strategy was developed by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and my Department, endorsed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and approved by Government on 8 December 2020.

Vaccine allocation is a matter for my Department and further information is available here: www.gov.ie/en/publication/39038-provisional-vaccine-allocation-groups/.

The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is the responsibility of the HSE.

The aim of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is to ensure, over time, that vaccine will become available to vaccinate all of those for whom the vaccine is indicated. Given that there will be initially limited vaccines available, it will take some time for all to receive those vaccines and that has necessitated an allocation strategy to ensure that those most at risk of death and serious illness receive the vaccine first.

The priority is to first vaccinate and protect directly the most vulnerable amongst us, that is, those most likely to have a poor outcome if they contract the virus. The priority is to directly use vaccines to save lives and reduce serious illness, hence the focus on the over 65 year old cohort in long term residential care facilities, and healthcare workers in frontline services often caring for the most vulnerable.

All of the groups will be covered as further vaccine supplies become available and the immunisation programme is rolled out nationally.

The evidence will be kept under review and the allocation groups may be updated, where necessary, in light of new evidence.

Family carers are a diverse group, therefore, each individual will be vaccinated in the group that is appropriate to them.

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