Dr. Colm Henry:

The role of general practice has been key to our response throughout the pandemic from the very beginning through testing, tracing and the rapidly evolving case definition. We have build solid alliances with general practice, both in the HSE and within NPHET. They have established a central role in provision of vaccine, particularly to preschool children, but also a wider role as advocates of public health and vaccination. We are building on those existing links with general practice. We have established a group within our own governance structure with David Walsh and the workforce, which met as recently this morning, building our links with the Irish College of General Practitioners, ICGP, with key general practice leads to furnish them with the real-time information in what is a very uncertain environment as it comes through and also to ensure that they are equipped with the information they require to advocate for vaccination among the priority groups as they come through.

General practice is key to us. It has been from the beginning of the pandemic and will be key to our response to the roll-out, particularly in the larger phases of roll-out as greater numbers of the batches and provision of vaccine come through to vaccinators.