Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is just me. Tonight's figures remind us of the need for vigilance, with 393 new cases and, sadly, eight further deaths. I acknowledge the great efforts by everybody involved in this national effort, especially our front-line healthcare workers.

The vaccination programme is certainly picking up pace. It is encouraging to see 1.7 million vaccinations have been administered, with almost 1.2 million people or 30% of adults over the age of 16, having received their first dose. I also express my appreciation to the Ministers present for their availability and assistance in matters in the constituency in Dún Laoghaire. News that people who have had their first AstraZeneca jab can be considered vaccinated after four weeks is particularly welcome and good. I ask that the Minister for Health considers getting that message out there as much as possible, because it would reassure many people who have been cocooning. Many of them believe they have to wait for the 12-week period and they do not want to stop restricting their movements or cocooning. It is important that message gets out there.

On the mandatory hotel quarantining, the Minister will be aware of several recent cases in which people needed to travel abroad for medical treatment. I ask that a streamlined process be put in place for those vulnerable individuals. I know the Minister is working on issues, and perhaps he might update us in his response.

I have some questions, especially on the Janssen vaccine. It is particularly useful for administration by pharmacists. When will the first significant shipment of Janssen vaccine arrive and when will the pharmacists begin vaccinating? In terms of vaccinations, will other organisations such as the Tropical Medical Bureau be involved or considered in the roll-out?

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