Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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807. To ask the Minister for Health the way in which those with medical conditions which put them at high risk of severe disease will be selected and contacted to receive the Covid-19 vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5651/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy sets out a provisional list of groups for vaccination. The Strategy was developed by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and my Department, endorsed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and approved by Government on 8 December 2020.

Vaccine allocation is a matter for my Department and further information is available here: .

The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is the responsibility of the HSE.

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.

The next group to be vaccinated are those aged 70 and older in the following order: 85 and older, 80-84, 75-79, and 70-74. Vaccination of this group will begin in February . 

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.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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808. To ask the Minister for Health the amount general practitioners will be offered per hour to administer the Covid-19 vaccines in mass vaccination centres; if this will be extended to groups who are qualified to administer the vaccine such as general practice nurses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5652/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The COVID-19 vaccination programme will be expanded as additional supply becomes available. In this regard, the Government agreed on 18 January 2021 to the following fee structure for GPs and pharmacists to administer vaccines.

The fees provide for a payment of €25 per dose of vaccine administered, plus a once-off administration fee of €10 per patient.  Thus, in the case of vaccines requiring two doses the total cost per patient will be €60, while if a single-dose vaccine becomes available the cost per patient would be €35.  

GPs will be paid an hourly fee of €120 for conducting vaccinations in HSE run Mass Vaccination Centres (MVCs).

The fees will be subject to Government review in six months to ensure that the Vaccination Programme is being delivered as efficiently and economically as possible in keeping with the requirements of public health considerations. The expansion of the cohorts of administrators is dependent on the supply of vaccine. Consideration of fee structures will be considered as necessary.