Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

397. To ask the Minister for Health if vaccinations against Covid-19 are available to approved driving instructors without underlying health conditions around Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25206/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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:

Vaccine registration for those aged 50 to 59 years is ongoing.

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

398. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to enable pharmacists to administer Covid-19 vaccines in pharmacies; if there has been engagement with the pharmacy sector on this issue; if so, the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25208/21]

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

407. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department has considered allowing pharmacists to participate in the national roll-out of Covid-19 vaccinations as vaccinators. [25240/21]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

414. To ask the Minister for Health the position in relation to pharmacists delivering vaccinations in local communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25257/21]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

415. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address queries raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding pharmacists and their role in delivering Covid-19 vaccinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25259/21]

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

421. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider expanding guidelines allowing pharmacies to participate in the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine enabling persons to be vaccinated by their local pharmacist; the way in which pharmacists will be used in the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25279/21]

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

439. To ask the Minister for Health the reason pharmacists are not being used to roll-out the Covid-19 vaccine (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25304/21]

Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

440. To ask the Minister for Health when pharmacists will be utilised as vaccinators as part of the national vaccination programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25305/21]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

441. To ask the Minister for Health the reason community pharmacists are still unable to vaccinate persons in their pharmacies; if he plans to utilise pharmacists in the vaccine roll-out; if so, when they can expect to be providing vaccines to persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25318/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 398, 407, 414, 415, 421, 439, 440 and 441 together.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.