Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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1845. To ask the Minister for Health the Covid-19 vaccine drug product manufacturing and supply strategy to combat variants of the Covid-19 virus; the way in which vaccine booster supplies will be procured; if it is planned to use third party or generic manufacturers based here to ensure guaranteed vaccine supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19120/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland is participating in an EU led procurement process, where the Commission has negotiated a range of contractual agreements with various vaccine suppliers and across a range of technologies on behalf of Member States. Ireland has, through its participation in this process, gained access to a broad range of vaccines that it might not otherwise have access to, and at the cost agreed collectively by the EU.

Recently, the Commission has engaged in negotiations with Pfizer / BioNTech with a view to securing a Purchase Agreement for 900m doses of its vaccine on behalf of Member States, with provision for an additional 900m doses, for 2022/2023. Pfizer / BioNTech's vaccine is based upon mRNA technology, providing scope for it to be adjusted to deal with variants of Covid-19. The vaccine could also be used to provide booster shots, where required. The appropriate mix of vaccine technologies to provide boosters and variants is also being considered by the Steering Board, comprised of the Commission and EU Member States, for the EC procurement process.

In conjunction with this, the new European bio-defence preparedness plan against COVID-19 variants called “HERA Incubator” will work with researchers, biotech companies, manufacturers and public authorities in the EU and globally to detect new variants, provide incentives to develop new and adapted vaccines, speed up the approval process for these vaccines, and ensure scaling up of manufacturing capacities.

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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1846. To ask the Minister for Health when patients that suffer from asthma can expect to receive the Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19122/21]

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 23rd of 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 30th of 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: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/93f8f-minister-donnelly-announces-update-to-irelands-vaccination-prioritisation-list/.

Vaccination of Group 4 began in March. People with severe asthma will be vaccinated in Group 5.