Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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838. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the vaccination schedule; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6919/21]

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 roll out 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 front line 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.

Family carers are a diverse group, therefore, each individual will be vaccinated in the group that is appropriate to them.

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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839. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address concerns expressed by general practitioners that they are not being adequately informed with respect to their participation in the vaccine roll-out plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6922/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The roll-out of the vaccination plan is complex and subject to a number of factors such as vaccination authorisation processes, clinical advice based on emergent data, and vaccine supply chain volatility. As set out in the published government vaccination strategy, vaccination planning has to be agile, flexible and to be capable of evolving over time. My Department is working in close cooperation with the HSE to develop and implement a comprehensive vaccination plan in which GPs will play a key role.

The role of GPs was subject of intense discussions last week with the IMO, and a communication from the IMO, agreed with the HSE, issued to its members on Friday evening, 5 February. In addition, an IMO-arranged webinar was held on 9 February to provide further information to GPs. Further information will be made available when it is possible to do so.