Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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2248. To ask the Minister for Health the number of Covid-19 vaccination appointments have been cancelled per week since 1 March 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20263/21]

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.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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2249. To ask the Minister for Health the considerations that have been given to implementing a risk waiver system for a vaccine (details supplied) for those under sixty years of age who are willing to receive that particular vaccine similar to that done in jurisdictions such as Belgium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20264/21]

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 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:

.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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2250. To ask the Minister for Health if there is a scheme in place to ensure that new entrants to nursing homes will be vaccinated upon arrival following the completion of the Covid-19 vaccination programme in nursing homes earlier in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20265/21]

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.