Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I support my colleague, Deputy Burke, on vaccinations and all of those women going through pregnancy in the middle of Covid-19 having their partners with them. I am so encouraged by the progress that has been made on the vaccination roll-out. The Government promised that in April we would see the roll-out being ramped up and we have seen exactly this. We have seen a huge increase in pace. We have seen it in vaccination centres such as my local vaccination centre in Citywest. Many of my constituents in their late 60s have now received their first vaccination. In fact, one fifth of all adults have received their first vaccination at this stage. It was announced today the portal will open tomorrow for those aged 64 and above. This is huge progress despite all of the challenges the vaccine roll-out programme has had to overcome.

In my constituency there is a clinic not administering vaccinations. Its patients over 70 have been left in limbo. At present, I am dealing with a couple in their very late 70s who feel completely left behind by the vaccine roll-out programme. Will the Minister open the HSE portal to those aged over 70 so those who are willing to take AstraZeneca can do so in centres such as Citywest?

I also want to point out that people in their 60s who have diagnosed blood clotting disorders feel they have been sent to the back of the queue because they do not want to take AstraZeneca and have not been offered an alternative. Is there anything we can do to assure these people it is safe to take AstraZeneca and allow them to get their vaccination as quickly as possible?

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