Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 July 2021
429. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health when residents of direct provision centres will receive their Covid-19 vaccine given that their need is particular acute due to rules prohibiting re-entry to centres after a resident has spent a night away means that residents are subject to 14-days quarantine; if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties this is causing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28933/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra461. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health when persons living in direct provision centres are due to be vaccinated given that they are living in places in which persons are in close proximity with each other and mostly in an indoor setting. [29139/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra462. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health when staff working in direct provision centres are due to be vaccinated given that they are living in places in which persons are in close proximity with each other and mostly in an indoor setting. [29140/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 429, 461 and 462 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. On the 23rd of February, I announced an update to Ireland’s COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy. In comprising the initial Vaccine Allocation Strategy, the NIAC listed several conditions associated with increased risk of severe disease and death. In the intervening period, national and international evidence has become available which has enabled a more detailed analysis of underlying conditions that may increase the risk of developing severe disease or death. The NIAC has now been able to more comprehensively identify those medical conditions and to distinguish between those which place a person at very high or high risk of severe disease if they contract the virus. Medical conditions and the magnitude of the risk they pose will continue to be monitored and periodically reviewed.
On the 30th of March, the Government approved a further update to the COVID-19 Vaccination Allocation Strategy. Based on clinical, scientific and ethical frameworks produced by the NIAC and my Department , following the vaccination of those most at risk, future groups will be vaccinated by age, in cohorts of 10 years (i.e., 64-55; 54-45, etc.).
The move to an age-based model better supports the programme objectives by:
- protecting those at highest risk of severe disease first, which benefits everyone most;
- facilitating planning and execution of the programme across the entire country;
- improving transparency and fairness.
Further details are available here:
www.gov.ie/en/press-release/93f8f-minister-donnelly-announces-update-to-irelands-vaccination-prioritisation-list
The HSE will begin the process of rollout vaccination to those living in direct provision this week. There is an estimated population of 4,800 across the 73 Direct Provision Centres in the State and vaccination will be administered through bespoke vaccination clinics, GP, Vaccination Centres and pharmacies.
