Dáil debates

Thursday, 27 May 2021

Covid-19 Vaccine Roll-out: Statements

 

10:15 am

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Canney for his questions on the various issues. The short answer on the AstraZeneca vaccine is that there is no plan to shorten the interval below 12 weeks. The interval was extended from 12 weeks to 16 weeks for a significant number of people and is now being brought back to 12 weeks. All of the doses we have and all those that are coming are fully committed for second doses, so the 12-week interval is deemed to be the right one.

Regarding aviation, the Government is well aware of the enormous burden this pandemic has placed on the aviation industry. As the Deputy pointed out, other industries such as tourism are heavily reliant on aviation. The Taoiseach and the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, have had numerous meetings with the industry this week. There is very close engagement at the moment.

With regard to the fully vaccinated, the current position for fully vaccinated individuals coming in from the US who have received one of the four EMA-approved vaccines, which is most likely to be the case, is that they are currently exempt from mandatory hotel quarantine. They still need to self-isolate but that can be lifted after a PCR test on day 5. However, in further progress, it is highly likely that the US will be one of the partner countries for the digital green certificate. We are looking to bring the digital green certificate in as quickly as possible. That will mean that anyone who is fully vaccinated with one of the vaccines listed by the Commission will be able to travel unimpeded, which will deal directly with the issue the Deputy raises.

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