Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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746. To ask the Minister for Health if he has considered introducing legislation to cover vaccinations; if so, the circumstances in which it could be required in the public interest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35256/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I assume the question is referring to legislation for mandatory vaccination.

It is important to note that vaccine hesitancy is not unique to Ireland. It is a global issue and was identified by the World Health Organisation, in 2019, as one of the ten leading threats to global health.

One of my priorities as Minister for Health is to increase vaccination rates across the country and several options in this area are being explored. A Vaccine Alliance was established in my Department in September 2019. Its aim is to increase the uptake of childhood vaccines and reduce vaccine hesitancy.