Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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848. To ask the Minister for Health the breakdown of the Covid-19 vaccine refusal rates amongst healthcare workers in acute hospital groups in tabular form. [9745/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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849. To ask the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be offered the vaccine for Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9748/21]

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 started in the week beginning the 15^thof February.

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.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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850. To ask the Minister for Health the reason phlebotomists cannot be recruited as vaccinators; if he will amend Statutory Instrument No. 698 of 2020 to include this class of healthcare worker; the reason for the exclusion; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that phlebotomists are being recruited in the UK as vaccinators; if he will now include phlebotomists as a category eligible for recruitment to the mass vaccination drive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9753/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The HSE are building and deploying its workforce in order to be prepared for the requirements associated with rolling out the COVID-19 vaccine programme.

GPs, Pharmacists, doctors, nurses, paramedics, and many healthcare professionals, will have a role to play in the vaccination programme.

The vaccine rollout is being conducted on a 7-day week basis and to date, more than 7,400 staff have received training to operate as vaccinators. To support the expanded immunisation programme the HSE launched a vaccinator recruitment campaign last week.

It is not intended that phlebotomists will be called upon to participate as vaccinators in the programme at this time.