Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

 We can all agree that this is a good week and that last week was a good week in terms of our fight against Covid-19 as we move to prioritisation of vaccines if and when they are approved.

The Government is committed to the roll-out of a Covid-19 vaccination programme as soon as suitable products have been authorised and supplies are available. A high-level task force was established to support and oversee the development and implementation of the programme. The task force is working on a national Covid-19 vaccination strategy and implementation plan which I expect to be submitted tomorrow.

Ireland is taking part in a procurement exercise being operated by the European Commission on behalf of member states to procure suitable, safe and effective vaccines in sufficient quantities. Ireland has opted into five advance purchase agreements, APAs, with pharmaceutical companies and a process is in place to opt into a sixth APA. When we start receiving vaccines, we will have to prioritise who will receive them first. Earlier this week, I announced the vaccination allocation strategy for Covid-19 vaccines following sign-off by Cabinet on Tuesday. The strategy prioritises those over the age of 65 living in long-term care facilities, front-line healthcare workers who are in direct patient contact and those aged 70 and over.

The high-level task force is working intensively to ensure that all necessary elements are identified and addressed in the plans for implementation. Its work includes how the vaccine will be administered, by whom and where.  Planning for an ICT system is in train to enable all necessary aspects of an individual’s vaccination history to be recorded. Further details will be included in the national vaccination strategy and implementation plan, once approved by Government.

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