Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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1027. To ask the Minister for Health the criteria the HSE used when distributing vaccines to general practitioner clinics to decide which clinics received the vaccine first; and if it was alphabetical or based on other criteria. [16890/21]

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.

Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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1028. To ask the Minister for Health if the delay regarding general practitioner clinics that did not receive vaccines supplies on time will alter or affect future deliveries of vaccines to those clinics. [16891/21]

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.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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1029. To ask the Minister for Health the position of persons with Addison’s disease on the Covid-19 vaccine allocation strategy priority list of groups for vaccination; the way persons in this group will access the vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16900/21]

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.

On the 23^rdof February, I announced an update to Ireland’s COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy. In comprising the initial Vaccine Allocation Strategy, the NIAC listed several conditions associated with increased risk of severe disease and death. In the intervening period, national and international evidence has become available which has enabled a more detailed analysis of underlying conditions that may increase the risk of developing severe disease or death. The NIAC has now been able to more comprehensively identify those medical conditions and to distinguish between those which place a person at very high or high risk of severe disease if they contract the virus. Medical conditions and the magnitude of the risk they pose will continue to be monitored and periodically reviewed.

On the 30^thof March, the Government approved a further update to the COVID-19 Vaccination Allocation Strategy. Based on clinical, scientific and ethical frameworks produced by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee and my Department, following the vaccination of those most at risk, future groups will be vaccinated by age, in cohorts of 10 years (i.e., 64-55; 54-45, etc.).

The move to an age-based model better supports the programme objectives by:

- protecting those at highest risk of severe disease first, which benefits everyone most;

- facilitating planning and execution of the programme across the entire country;

- improving transparency and fairness.

Further details are available here:

In relation to the categories of very high risk and high risk conditions, this list is not exhaustive. It may also include people who have been classed as at very high risk, based on clinical judgement and an assessment of need. It is recommended that the individuals concerned discuss this with their treating physician who is in the best position to give appropriate advice.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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1030. To ask the Minister for Health the process that will be used to identify persons with asthma for vaccine allocation; and the way persons in this group will access the vaccine. [16901/21]

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.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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1031. To ask the Minister for Health the criteria that will be applied in respect of persons with severe asthma who are currently categorised as group 7 in the COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy to determine continuous or repeated use of systemic corticosteroids; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16902/21]

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.