Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 July 2022
787. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of times the Vaccine Alliance has met since it was established by his Department in September 2019; if he will provide the dates of these meetings and its current terms of reference; if he will outline his future intentions for the work of this group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35881/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Vaccine Alliance, chaired by the Department of Health, has met on three occasions since it was launched in late 2019. The then chair of the Alliance also convened a Vaccine Advocate Forum to offer information to organisations that had an integral role to play in the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme. This event took place in December 2020 and more information is available here: www.gov.ie/en/publication/c453f-covid-19-vaccine-advocate-forum/
The initial aim of the Alliance was to raise awareness about the benefits of Ireland’s childhood vaccination programme, address vaccine hesitancy and ensure consistent messaging to stakeholders.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the focus of the Alliance shifted to include COVID-19 vaccines, addressing vaccine hesitancy and misinformation relating to COVID-19 vaccines. This work was primarily undertaken by members of the Alliance taking part in HSE stakeholder events relating to COVID-19 vaccine rollout. In addition, the HSE established the COVID-19 Vaccine Community Network in February 2021 to support uptake of COVID-19 vaccines. The Department and the HSE continue to work closely together to support these groups and progress the work of the Alliance.
