Vaccination Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 June 2021

Tuesday, 29 June 2021

Ceisteanna (536)

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

536. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if he will facilitate the provision of Covid vaccine via community pharmacists to maximise the vaccine uptake; if an evaluation has been carried out as to the reason some cohorts of the population are below the national average when it comes to uptake; if availability in rural areas and travel distances is a factor; if consideration could be given to community pharmacies targeting those who have not yet availed of the vaccine within their age cohort; if he plans to utilise pharmacists in the vaccine roll-out; if so, when they can expect to be providing vaccines to persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27349/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Community Pharmacists have now joined the Vaccination Programme, providing Janssen for people 50 and over who have not yet been vaccinated. Participating pharmacies have commenced scheduling appointments with members of the public.

There is an initial commitment of 60,000 vaccines to be distributed to 750 pharmacies that registered interest in providing a COVID-19 vaccination service. This will be reviewed as more Janssen supply becomes available and as priorities develop further.

Deliveries commenced week beginning 14th June and continued each day during this week delivering to approximately 650 pharmacies with the balance to receive deliveries on the week beginning 21st June when they have fully registered.

The HSE is running a communication campaign in collaboration with the Irish Pharmacy Union around the Janssen programme in Pharmacies. Uptake remains strong overall for the vaccination programme.