Written answers

Tuesday, 1 December 2020

Photo of Catherine ConnollyCatherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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702. To ask the Minister for Health the plans in place for the distribution of a Covid-19 vaccine when available; the categories of persons it is intended to prioritise; the number of doses of the vaccine secured to date; the companies from which they have been secured; the estimated cost per unit; the anticipated number of units required; if the vaccine will be administered to all persons free of charge; the persons or bodies by which the vaccine will be administered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39944/20]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is committed to the timely implementation of a COVID-19 immunisation programme, as soon as one or more vaccines in the EU portfolio are approved for use. In this regard, a cross-Government High-Level Taskforce has been established to support and oversee the development and implementation of the programme.

Policy in relation to the order in which people should be offered vaccination is being developed as a priority in conjunction with the national experts on immunisation and it is expected that the NPHET will shortly finalise its advice to Government in this regard.

Ireland is currently involved in an EU Procurement Exercise being operated by the European Commission on behalf of Member States to procure a portfolio of suitable, safe and effective vaccines, in sufficient quantities, to combat COVID-19. The arrangements are intended to ensure co-ordinated action at European level to vaccinate the EU population. As part of the exercise, Ireland has already opted into an Advance Purchase Agreement (APA) with the British-Swedish drug maker AstraZeneca (partnering with Oxford University); Janssen (Johnson & Johnson); BioNTech / Pfizer; and CureVac.

Photo of Catherine ConnollyCatherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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703. To ask the Minister for Health the membership of the Covid-19 immunisation strategy group; the remit of the group; the number of times the group has met to date; the reports published to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39945/20]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The COVID-19 Immunisation Strategy Group, chaired by the Department of Health, and informed by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC), was convened in August to advise on and assist in the development of national policy relating to COVID-19 vaccines.

The Group’s membership is drawn from relevant Government Departments, relevant agencies, and organisations.

- Department of Health

- Health Service Executive

- Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HSE)

- National Immunisation Office (HSE)

- HBS Procurement (HSE)

- National Immunisation Advisory Committee

- State Claims Agency

- National Virus Reference Laboratory

- Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

- Health Products Regulatory Authority

The establishment of the High-Level Taskforce has necessitated an early review of governance arrangements regarding the COVID-19 immunisation programme, so as to ensure role clarity as between the different organisations and to avoid any overlap or duplication. Revised arrangements are being drawn up and in this context it is expected that the current Immunisation Strategy Group arrangement will cease to operate.

The group has met on four occasions since August and has not published any reports to date.

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