Written answers

Wednesday, 13 January 2021

Photo of Peter BurkePeter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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947. To ask the Minister for Health when members of the Defence Forces will be vaccinated; if current plans can be expedited due to imminent foreign travel for some members; if the two-week quarantine for returning members of the Defence Forces has been considered in view of the time they must spend away from home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1160/21]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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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.

Ireland is implementing the EU ‘traffic lights’ approach to travel, which applies to countries in the EU/ EEA.

Advice for travel during the COVID-19 pandemic can be found at the below link.

Further information on the Allocation Strategy can be found at:

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Photo of Mark WardMark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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948. To ask the Minister for Health the visiting procedures for HSE nursing homes in view of the new restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1161/21]

Photo of Mary ButlerMary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

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