John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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757. To ask the Minister for Health his views on claims from pharmacists that they have been side-lined from the Covid-19 vaccination programme of persons aged over 70; and if the vaccination of patients over 70 years of age is to be carried out exclusively by general practitioners. [5514/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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On 19 January, the Government approved fees for both GPs and pharmacists to administer COVID-19 vaccines. 

The vaccination programme will be expanded as new supplies arrive in Ireland. Pharmacists, GPs, all doctors, nurses, paramedics, nursing home staff and many healthcare professionals will have a role to play in the vaccination programme. 

The next major population group to be vaccinated, after health-care workers and those aged over 65 in long-term residential care facilities, will be those aged over 70 living in the community who are recognised as a particularly vulnerable group.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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758. To ask the Minister for Health if he will seek and share a detailed report on the causal factors that led to the disposal of 22 vials of a vaccine in the Midlands Louth Meath Community Health Organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5517/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In relation to the matter referred to by the Deputy, the HSE have advised that 22 vials of Covid-19 vaccine that were delivered to a Nursing Home in the Midlands Louth Meath Community Healthcare Organisation were incorrectly stored and the appropriate cold chain was not in place, unfortunately these vials cannot now be used. 

The Community Healthcare Organisation will now work with national colleagues to undertake the remaining vaccinations at the LTRC facility as soon as possible.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.