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

There has been palpable disappointment this week in response to the latest Covid announcement. The tourism and hospitality sector and young people feel particularly left behind. All Members share the frustration that is out there. We all know that Covid-19 has not been fair on anyone and we all want to be on the far side of this pandemic. The vaccine is our best way out of it. I, like so many others, have not been offered a vaccine yet and I am really encouraged by the national immunisation advisory council, NIAC, advice that the AstraZeneca and Janssen vaccines can be given to young people because the benefits outweigh the risks. I will take any vaccine I am given, as will most people my age. Can the Tánaiste give us 30-something-year-olds and the 20-somethings clarity on what an accelerated vaccine programme will look like for us? Will we be able to get vaccinated in our local pharmacy? How quickly will the roll-out ramp up?

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