Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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716. To ask the Minister for Health if any death of a patient in Ireland has been associated with the taking of the three vaccines for Covid-19 which have been licensed to date; and if the relevant health bodies have a duty to investigate deaths in circumstances in which death occurred shortly after the administration of the first or second dose of such vaccines. [6404/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Authorised vaccines are subject to ongoing monitoring in Ireland by the Health Product Regulatory Authority (HPRA).

At present there are three COVID-19 vaccines authorised for use by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

The HPRA has received a small number of reports of elderly patients, who had underlying conditions and passed away following vaccination. These reports have been carefully reviewed and based on the information provided, have not raised any concern regarding the safe use of Comirnaty in this population. It can be expected that fatalities due to progression of underlying disease or natural causes will continue to occur, including following vaccination, however, this does not mean it was caused by the vaccine.

The HPRA follows up on reports of suspected adverse reactions received from Healthcare professionals and members of the public through the voluntary reporting system, including any deaths notified following vaccination.