Covid-19 Pandemic

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 February 2021

Thursday, 18 February 2021

Ceisteanna (250, 251)

Réada Cronin

Ceist:

250. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the systems in place under the Covid-19 national vaccination strategy to address conscientious objection by doctors to vaccine administration; the reassurances his Department can give patients that this not-unexpected development has been factored into the planning, delivery and communication of that strategy; the guarantees he can give persons that conscientious objection will not impede them in their direct access to the vaccine locally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9066/21]

Réada Cronin

Ceist:

251. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the public information strategy in place or planned to address comprehensively the safety issues raised in conscientious objection by doctors in order to maximise public trust and public confidence in the Covid-19 vaccines for the best possible public health outcome in the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9067/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 250 and 251 together.

The Department of Health has published the National COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy, which outlines Ireland’s high-level plan for safe, effective, and efficient vaccination of the population, while safeguarding continued provision of health and social care services.

The National COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy, which was prepared by the High-Level Task Force on COVID-19 Vaccination, was signed off by Cabinet on 15 December 2020.

Operational responsibility for delivery of the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out lies with the Health Service Executive (HSE).

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.