Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)

It is a pandemic and every country faces the same logistical challenges. Our experience is very much in keeping with our counterparts in Europe and we have had close contacts with many colleagues, particularly those in Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom.

There is no issue with regard to indemnity and this has been made clear to general practitioners, both individually and on the websites of the three insurance companies. They, Medisec, MPS and MDU have all given assurances that this is normal in general practice and that the doctors are indemnified. The producers of the vaccine have been indemnified by every country as for obvious reasons they cannot go through the normal processes. An information leaflet and documentation was sent out to all GPs last month. This is clear and easy to understand and has been translated into eight languages so that patients from countries where people do not normally speak English can easily understand the what the vaccination programme is about and the possible side effects.

We now have 615,000 doses of vaccine in the country. There is a two-week lag from the time it comes to the port to when it can be got to either a clinic or GP, because of the manner in which it arrives. It does not come like the traditional vaccine because the manufacturers are trying to get the vaccine to countries as quickly as possible and when it arrives we have to do a considerable amount of work to get it out in ten-pack vials.

There are 45 HSE clinics and 32 teams, so some teams will cover more than one clinic. We hope to have 60 teams in place in approximately two weeks. On average, each team consists of seven vaccinators, one doctor and six nurses. Some have more and some less, depending on the arrangements necessary. Some 83% of general practitioners have agreed to participate, but 17% have not. I accept there are logistical issues, but there are such issues in every country. I have spoken to many colleagues who face the same logistical challenges.

I appeal to everybody, particularly members of the medical profession, Members of the House, the regulatory body of the Medical Council, all the training bodies, the College of Obstetricians and many other bodies to follow the advice given for all health care workers, doctors and others to accept this vaccination. I am not a clinician, but I am of the same view. Significant work has been put into this programme over the summer, led by the chief medical officer and the expert group. They have done considerable work and have won public confidence. They have been involved in many public debates on the airwaves, reassuring and informing people. That will continue to be the case.

We anticipate that some 415,000 people are at risk and general practices will get approximately 415,000 vaccines to administer to their patients. I am aware some doctors have an issue with regard to identifying those patients, but the majority know who they are.

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