Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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880. To ask the Minister for Health if a person who has received the Covid-19 vaccine in full and is in receipt of proof of same is exempt from public health Covid restrictions and can move beyond designated travel distance barriers; and if they are allowed to leave the State for non-essential reasons. [5921/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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It is not yet understood whether available vaccines prevent vaccinated persons from being infected or  transmitting the disease to others.  As such, the impact vaccinations will have on travel policies internationally is yet to be determined.  The WHO has continues to caution governments against introducing immunity passports at this time.

The Government gives continuing consideration to travel policy informed by the epidemiological situation internationally and public health advice.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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881. To ask the Minister for Health when consideration will be given to making the Covid-19 vaccine available for funeral directors and undertakers in view of the nature of their work in the context of the distribution of vaccine nationwide. [5923/21]

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 this month. 

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.

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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882. To ask the Minister for Health the guidelines for front-line healthcare workers who are currently pregnant and carrying out their roles in hospitals; if they are being rostered to areas in which there is a reduced exposure to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5932/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy on this matter in relation to public health sector employees.