Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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236. To ask the Minister for Health if consideration is being given to delaying the roll-out of the second Covid-19 vaccine dose in order to increase the number of persons in the community who will have the protection of one dose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13750/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation. It makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department. The NIAC review all data relating to COVID-19 vaccines on a rolling basis.

Following the recommendation for use of vaccines against COVID-19 by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and authorisation for use by the European Commission, the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) develops guidance for their use in Ireland which is contained in the Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland. These guidelines are continuously updated and includes guidance on all new vaccines as they are approved for use in Ireland.

You can read the guidelines at:

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Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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237. To ask the Minister for Health the way that very high risk persons such as those with Down syndrome who are under general practitioner care and do not have a hospital team will be contacted for their vaccination. [13758/21]

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.