Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister and Minister of State for their statements. It is helpful to have specific detail. I also acknowledge how difficult the vaccine roll-out is, coupled with uncertainty and changing delivery schedules. I understand how logistically that is an extraordinary strain. I commend all involved in grappling with an ever-changing situation.

I want to focus on one vaccine and one cohort to seek clarity. The only eligible group of citizens to receive AstraZeneca now are those in the 60 to 69 age cohort. I am one of those myself and I know other colleagues here fall into the same category. Most of us, certainly including myself, have no problem at all in receiving AstraZeneca. Indeed, I would be delighted to receive it. However, there are issues which we need to address and be clear about. AstraZeneca has proven to be the most unreliable in terms of delivery. Up to 45,000 doses were expected this week. We know only 9,000 were actually received, a fact we only found out at the last minute. Some 165,000 doses were expected on 30 April. Now that has been put back to at least 3 May. Few would bet their house that we will get 165,000 doses on 3 May.

There is only one cohort, namely, those aged between 60 years and 69 years, who are totally dependent on this single vaccine, AstraZeneca. To add to the issues for that cohort, this is the only vaccine currently where there is a 12-week gap between doses. All the others are much shorter. As the vaccine programme continues, younger and, according to the clear medical advice, less vulnerable groups could be fully vaccinated before the 60s age cohort group is. I believe that would be unacceptable.

Since the 60s age group is dependent on AstraZeneca, how can the Minister be certain that the 840,000 doses to fully vaccinate the 420,000 people involved in that group will arrive in a timely fashion? How sure is he that this group will not be pushed behind the lower age groups and, by definition, less vulnerable people before it is fully vaccinated? Does he believe this group uniquely should have to wait 12 weeks between doses and be, potentially, overtaken by less vulnerable people? Will he review that situation?

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