Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Generally speaking, throughout the vaccination programme the focus has always been on those who are most vulnerable to the disease and who need protection first. That is a clinical decision and it has always been the public health advice. Hence, the older age cohorts got vaccinated first, along with those with underlying conditions and those who are immunocompromised. That has always been the case. With regard to the primary dose and dose 2, it was the correct decision to move to the age cohort approach and to the vaccination centre approach once the older age cohort was vaccinated. It meant a much more speedy roll-out of the vaccination programme. It becomes far more challenging when selecting different groups who are not on any particular register. Many different groups at different times have come forward. Indeed, Deputies have come forward seeking to have different groups prioritised.

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