Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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372. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of serving members of the Defence Forces who have received a Covid-19 vaccination by base or barracks, and rank, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9401/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy was developed by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and the Department of Health, endorsed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and approved by Government on 8 December 2020. It sets out a provisional list of groups for vaccination. The allocation strategy is a living document which can be modified by Government based on further information or changes in vaccine supply.

I am advised that the Defence Forces have established a vaccine prioritisation which is in line with the national allocation strategy. Initial vaccination priority is for Defence Forces personnel who are providing front line support to the Health Service Executive (HSE) and National Ambulance Service (NAS), in the national efforts to combat COVID-19.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic Defence Forces personnel have been working alongside HSE and NAS front line workers to provide significant resources in testing, contact tracing, patient transfer, emergency ambulance cover, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and testing kit delivery and non-clinical support to a number of Long Term Residential Care settings. As the national effort shifts towards the vaccine rollout programme the Defence Forces will continue to provide quality support with the provision of vaccinators and planning and logistic supports to the national effort.

The Military Authorities have advised that as of 22 February 2021, a total of 561 Defence Forces personnel have received at least one dose of vaccine. This number reflects the significant contribution that the Defence Forces provides to the HSE and NAS on a daily basis and is a recognition of the front line activities that our personnel continue to undertake.