John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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658. To ask the Minister for Health if he is considering a mandatory vaccine programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41592/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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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 Organization, 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 vaccines and reduce vaccine hesitancy. There are not plans to make vaccines mandatory.