Written answers

Thursday, 11 February 2021

Photo of Emer HigginsEmer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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276. To ask the Minister for Health if it will be ensured that nuns living in congregated settings are catered for appropriately in the Covid-19 vaccination roll-out plan. [7655/21]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen 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.

Photo of Joan CollinsJoan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independents 4 Change)
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277. To ask the Minister for Health if guidelines are in place in order that the Covid-19 mRNA vaccines will be offered to front-line healthcare workers who are pregnant (details supplied). [7670/21]

Photo of Bríd SmithBríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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286. To ask the Minister for Health the alternatives that are available to a general practice nurse who is 22 weeks pregnant and who under the new guidance issued on 5 January 2021 is scheduled to receive a vaccine (details supplied) and who will be part of the team rolling out a vaccine clinic at their practice; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that NIAC have advised that the vaccine should not be given during pregnancy; his views on the fact that even if this nurse receives the first dose they will be over 33 weeks pregnant by the time the second dose is scheduled to be given 12 weeks later; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7717/21]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 277 and 286 together.

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

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