Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The roll-out of vaccinations to the housebound is an extremely important part of the programme and 3,500 people have been referred by their GP. No politician or layperson can register somebody for a housebound vaccine. Only a GP, medical clinician or consultant can because it is very important that politics does not intervene here. As I said, 3,500 people have been referred by their GP and between 23 and 26 April the HSE contacted 800 individuals who were outstanding. Thus medics and HSE staff have worked very hard and I congratulate them on the work done to date because there are many complex cases. The Minister moved very quickly two weeks ago and increased the number of ambulance jeeps on call so we can get to as many people as possible. There are 500 people outstanding but contact has been made with them.

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