Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is great to see the vaccination roll-out. Today, all 57-year-olds can register for their vaccine. What happens to those who do not register on the day their age comes up? What if they miss it or do not know about it? Can they register later? Will they be accommodated? If, for example, 220,000 60 to 69-year-olds did not register, can they do so now or must they wait until all ages are complete?

What is the plan for vaccine apathy, that is, those people who may not get around to a vaccination right now? According to recent National University of Ireland, NUI, Galway data, one in five women under the age of 30 is worried about taking a vaccine. As we approach the younger age groups, what are we doing to allow people to register for vaccines later if they wish to do so?

We are seeing a rise in vaccine myths with lockdowns and more people accessing the Internet. We see claims which make some younger people hesitant about taking a vaccine. They may not be against the vaccine but they are worried and are asking if they will be penalised for waiting.

Last week, the Cabinet approved the national immunisation advisory committee, NIAC, recommendation to offer women between 14 weeks and 36 weeks pregnant the mRNA vaccines, which include Pfizer and Moderna. This is most welcome and I understand expectant mothers were asked to speak to their GPs about this. I received calls this week from pregnant women, however, who asked their GPs about this but who said they did not know anything about this. Will the Minister clarify this as there is a bit of confusion around the matter?

On maternity hospitals, the HSE has told maternity hospitals to allow a partner to be present at the 20-week scan and during labour, while a parent should be allowed access to the neonatal intensive care unit. A pregnant woman in Carlow or Wexford can face a different rule depending on which maternity hospital she attends, however. It is important we get clarity on this issue and get the proper information out. All maternity hospitals throughout the country must apply the same rules.

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