Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Covid-19 vaccination programme is the largest immunisation programme in the history of the State. More than 4.1 million doses of vaccine have now been administered since the programme began in December. Approximately 65.2% of the eligible population have received a single dose while 44.5% have been fully vaccinated. The programme continues to gather pace and the trajectory it is on has been unhindered by the recent HSE cyberattack. This robustness has been matched by an agility which has enabled the programme to respond to updated clinical advice and changing delivery schedules.

The success of the programme has necessitated an unprecedented national effort from across the healthcare system.There are now 40 vaccination centres operating across the State, including at least one in each county. A further centre will commence operating at the Munster Technical University campus in Cork this week. Approximately 1.7 million people have now received a vaccination at one of the HSE-operated vaccination centres following registering on the online portal.

The roll-out has now begun to reach those in their 30s with those aged between 35 and 39 years invited to register for vaccination. The portal remains open for those aged between 40 and 49, with 644,000 people having registered to date. The HSE expects registration to open for those aged between 30 and 34 years towards the end of next week. I encourage anyone in these age groups who has not yet registered for vaccination to do so and avail of the protection it offers. GPs have played a pivotal role in the programme thus far and their involvement continues. Approximately 1.64 million vaccines have been delivered by GPs since the roll-out began.

Protecting the most vulnerable has always been a core tenet of the roll-out and this continues with socially vulnerable groups now being prioritised for vaccination. The Minister for Health approved three vulnerable groups to be prioritised for vaccination, namely, the homeless and members of the Roma and Traveller communities. Individuals in the custody of the State, including those in the Irish Prison Service and residing in direct provision, were subsequently also designated as high priority. Rolling out vaccines to the estimated 4,800 people residing in the 73 direct provision centres commenced this week. The vaccinations will be delivered through bespoke vaccination clinics, GPs, vaccination centres and pharmacies. I was in one of those clinics yesterday near Broombridge and want to thank all the workers and everyone who has participated in this very successful project.

GPs continue to offer vaccination to members of the Traveller and Roma communities, either directly or via referral to their local vaccination centres. To date, approximately 3,300 vaccinations have been delivered to members of both communities and an additional 400 vaccination appointments were scheduled for last week. The HSE is working closely with the community healthcare organisations to ensure that the vaccine roll-out continues efficiently to both the Traveller and Roma communities.

Individuals in custody in the Irish Prison Service are also being prioritised for vaccination. The roll-out in this commenced in March with those aged 70 years and older. It has now reached younger individuals in the custody of the State and it is anticipated that, over a four-week period, 75% of prisoners will have received a first dose. In order to accommodate the estimated 4,000 population residing in prison facilities, the National Ambulance Service has been attending some prisons to assist with vaccination.

As Minister of State with responsibility for the national drug strategy, I am pleased to inform the Dáil that those with addiction issues have now been designated as high priority for vaccination. The HSE is in the process of developing an operational plan to roll-out the vaccination to this group and once finalised it will be issued to the Department.

The national vaccination programme is well advanced and continues to gather pace. Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of staff across the healthcare system and the significant sacrifices of the Irish people, there has been a marked improvement in the situation. The continued success of the vaccination programme has led to a marked reduction in levels of hospitalisation. The vaccination programme has always sought to prioritise those most at risk, whether on the basis of their age, existing conditions or surroundings. I am pleased that the programme is reaching some of the most marginalised and oft forgotten in our society, including those seeking refuge and most in need of assistance, members of the Travelling community and those in the grip of addiction. The vaccination programme will leave no one behind and all will be offered the protection that vaccination affords. I was in a clinic in the city centre some weeks ago which had vaccinated 700 medically vulnerable people who are homeless. This great news for the people involved.

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