Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
1913. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a case (details supplied); if an immunocompromised person is required to provide a letter from a general practitioner or consultant to receive their second booster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41207/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1932. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a case (details supplied); if an immunocompromised person is required to provide a letter from a general practitioner or consultant to receive a second booster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41250/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1913 and 1932 together.
Ireland's COVID-19 vaccination programme is based on the principles of safety, effectiveness and fairness, with the objective of reducing severe illness, hospitalisations and deaths from COVID-19 infection.
The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The NIAC makes recommendations on vaccination policy to the Department of Health based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practices in relation to immunisation.
Following the recommendation for use of vaccines against COVID-19 by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and authorisation for use by the European Commission, the NIAC develops guidance for their use in Ireland which is contained in the Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland. These guidelines are continuously updated and include guidance on all new vaccines as they are approved for use in Ireland.
You can view the guidelines here: www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/hcpinfo/guidelines/covid19.pdf
The NIAC has recently advised a second booster dose for people over 65 and people with a weak immune system aged 12 and over. The Committee will continue to examine emerging evidence regarding booster vaccines for others in the population where there is evidence of waning immunity and reduced effectiveness and will make further recommendations if required.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
