Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I rise to speak about the Covid vaccination programme and where we are with the booster for those who received the Janssen vaccine. It was rolled out for the younger cohort in society and administrated mainly through GP practices. They were encouraged at the time to get involved at a very early stage. Science has moved on and the Janssen booster has not come. It is a huge issue, particularly for these young people who are socialising. One of the key issues we need to start talking about is how we can engage with products such as Janssen so that a booster is available. There is a gap in the market. The booster programme is working with the vulnerable and a certain age bracket. Younger people in particular who got this drug are now very vulnerable. Science has shown that the vaccination wears off at a much earlier stage. It is important that in the coming weeks we have a real debate about where we will run with our vaccination programme and how we will tie in the young people and how they will be a part of it. We see numbers that are frightening every day. Young people need to be looked at with regard to how those who received Janssen can get a booster shot. There seems to be no conversation about this. It is a gap in the market that we have to look at. I ask the Deputy Leader to use her offices to contact the Minister to bring a note on how he believes the Janssen product and booster can be looked at so we can have a vaccination programme that can help young people.