Robert Troy
Ceist:497. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if a second dose vaccine appointment can be expedited for a person (details supplied). [27125/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 29 June 2021
Ceisteanna (497)
Freagraí scríofa
The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The Committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation. It makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department. The NIAC review all data relating to COVID-19 vaccines on a rolling basis.NIAC has concluded that those of any age (without any previous COVID-19 infection), who have received their first dose of Vaxzevria® should receive their second dose 8-12 weeks later.You can read the guidelines at: www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/hcpinfo/guidelines/covid19.pdfa.
The HSE has commenced the implementation of a revised operational plan based on the NIAC recommendations to alter the dose interval from 12 to 8 weeks. It remains safe and effective to receive your second dose 12 weeks after the first and it is important to attend for your second dose when you are invited.
Extensive planning has been required to put in place a revised programme that will now see the remaining, approximately 450,000, people in receipt of the AZ vaccine fully immunised through the administration of their second dose by the middle to end of July.
As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.