Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Like others, I wish to extend the Christmas cheer, thank the staff and my fellow Deputies and wish everyone a joyful and restful Christmas. Vaccine efficacy wanes over time and the national immunisation advisory committee, NIAC, and the European Medicines Agency, EMA, say the Johnson & Johnson vaccine needs to be boosted after three months. The EMA even said it should be two months. The booster roll-out is progressing well but is focusing on cohorts by age. We are dealing mostly with young cohorts who got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, are now in need of a booster and will be at the end of the queue. Can we look at reassessing the need for a booster and having a roll-out based on need and vulnerability? That would mean recognising the younger cohorts who are more vulnerable at this time.

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