Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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2120. To ask the Minister for Health when the 1,700 NDI approved driving instructors will receive a Covid-19 vaccination (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19905/21]

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:

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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2121. To ask the Minister for Health if he will respond to correspondence from an institute (details supplied) regarding adding radiographers and radiation therapists to the list of authorised persons for delivering the Covid-19 vaccine. [19910/21]

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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2126. To ask the Minister for Health if he has engaged with an institute (details supplied) regarding the addition of professionals in radiography and radiation therapy to those who can be trained to and administer Covid-19 vaccines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19920/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 2121 and 2126 together.

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.

In addition, on Tuesday 23 February 2021, the Minister for Health signed the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2021. The purpose of these amending Regulations is to add registered optometrists and registered dentists to the list of professionals who may supply and administer Covid-19 vaccinations.

The vaccine rollout is being conducted on a 7-day week basis and to date, 12,000 staff have received training to operate as vaccinators. To support the expanded immunisation programme the HSE launched a vaccinator recruitment campaign at the end of February.

Additional professions will be considered to participate as vaccinators in the programme as required subject to suitability.