Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 May 2021
534. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will engage with an institute (details supplied) regarding its offer for members of the institute to be added to the list of authorised persons in regulation 4F of SI No. 698 of 2020 in order to help with the Covid-19 vaccination programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22715/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE is building and deploying its workforce in order to be prepared for the requirements associated with rolling out the COVID-19 vaccine programme.
GPs, Pharmacists, doctors, nurses, paramedics, and many healthcare professionals, will have a role to play in the vaccination programme.
In addition, on Tuesday 23 February 2021, the Minister for Health signed the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2021. The purpose of these amending Regulations is to add registered optometrists and registered dentists to the list of professionals who may supply and administer Covid-19 vaccinations.
The vaccine rollout is being conducted on a 7-day week basis and to date, over 12,500 staff have received training to operate as vaccinators. To support the expanded immunisation programme the HSE launched a vaccinator recruitment campaign at the end of February.
The inclusion of additional professions to participate as vaccinators in the programme is currently being considered. A statutory instrument to provide for this will be finalised shortly.
