Lorraine Clifford-Lee (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will make a brief comment on the booster campaign. I agree with Senator Conway that the enthusiasm shown for the booster campaign is very heartening. It was a great decision to reduce the period between the second and third doses of the vaccine. It should be available to all age cohorts. Some people are more enthusiastic about getting it than others. Some people work different hours so slots should be opened up to everybody of all ages in order to make sure that every available minute and hour is used by people getting the booster. Some university students are now finished for the Christmas period and could attend at different times to other people.

It should be all hands on deck between now and Christmas Day to get as many boosters into arms as possible, even if we have to stay open until midnight. I know those in the vaccination centres are overworked and the people administering the vaccines are exhausted. It was a progressive and welcome move from the GPs to decide to ramp up over the next week or so. I encourage more pharmacies to get in on the action as well. I thank the Minister of State and all her colleagues in the Department. I would like her to bring that message about the campaign being opened up to everyone back to the Department.