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Vaccination Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2021

Tuesday, 2 November 2021

Ceisteanna (1126)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

1126. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the plans that are in place for the roll out of Covid-19 booster vaccines for those who have been designated as being at high-risk from Covid-19; the person or body that will administer these vaccines; the timeline for any such roll out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53339/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

On 8 September, I announced an update to the Covid-19 vaccination programme following advice from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC).

The NIAC has recommended a booster dose of an mRNA vaccine (irrespective of whether the primary vaccination course was of an mRNA or adenoviral vector) for residents aged 65 years and older living in Long Term Residential Care Facilities and for those aged 80 years and older living in the community. The booster dose can be given after a minimum interval of six months following completion of the primary vaccination schedule. I have accepted this advice and the HSE has made the necessary arrangements to operationalise these recommendations with the booster rollout now underway.

The NIAC has now recommended that a booster dose of Pfizer/BioNTech should be offered to all those aged 60-79 who have completed their primary vaccination course with any Covid-19 vaccination. The booster dose should be ideally given 6 months following completion of the primary vaccination schedule (with a minimum interval of 5 months). The HSE has developed an operational plan for the vaccination of this cohort with the programme expected to commence on the week of 1 November.

The NIAC continues to examine emerging evidence regarding booster vaccines for those with waning immunity and reduced effectiveness in other groups, such as those with co-morbidities (under 60 years of age) and healthcare workers and will make further recommendations if required. I have asked the Chief Medical Officer to ensure that the NIAC examine whether there is a clinical need for healthcare workers to receive booster vaccines.

As the roll out of the booster vaccines is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

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