Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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858. To ask the Minister for Health if discussions are expected regarding the existing roll-out plan for the Covid-19 vaccine; and if consideration has been given to prioritising other frontline workers such as teachers or essential retail workers who have worked throughout the pandemic. [45058/20]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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968. To ask the Minister for Health if he will ensure that family carers and registered home helps will receive priority in the Covid-19 vaccine programme in view of their importance to care in the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1239/21]

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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972. To ask the Minister for Health if taxi drivers will be given some priority in terms of the Covid-19 vaccination for their own safety and the safety of their passengers given that the NTA has deemed taxi drivers to be essential workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1250/21]

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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979. To ask the Minister for Health the reason persons with serious underlying conditions from 18 to 64 years of age are so far down the list to receive a vaccine; and if this position will be reconsidered as the roll-out continues. [1263/21]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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980. To ask the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1264/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 858, 968, 972, 979 and 980 together.

The aim of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is to ensure, over time, that vaccine will become available to vaccinate all of those for whom the vaccine is indicated. Given that there will be initially limited vaccines available, it will take some time for all to receive those vaccines and that has necessitated an allocation strategy to ensure that those most at risk of death and serious illness receive the vaccine first.

The priority is to first vaccinate and protect directly the most vulnerable amongst us, that is, those most likely to have a poor outcome if they contract the virus. The priority is to directly use vaccines to save lives and reduce serious illness, hence the focus on the over 65 year old cohort in long term residential care facilities, and healthcare workers in frontline services often caring for the most vulnerable.

All of the groups will be covered as further vaccine supplies become available and the immunisation programme is rolled out nationally.

The evidence will be kept under review and the allocation groups may be updated, where necessary, in light of new evidence.

Further information on the Strategy can be found at:

.