Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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2129. To ask the Minister for Health if clarification will be provided in relation to vaccines (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36610/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Covid-19 vaccines can only be approved and used if they comply with all the requirements of quality, safety and efficacy set out in the EU pharmaceutical legislation. Each of the authorised vaccines is indicated for the active immunisation to prevent Covid-19. The vaccine manufacturers are required to ensure that their products remain safe and effective for the authorised indication of prevention of Covid-19.

The European Commission (EC) has granted conditional marketing authorisations (CMA) to four vaccines against Covid-19 on foot of a positive recommendation from the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Following the recommendation for use of vaccines against Covid-19 by the EMA and authorisation for use by the EC, the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) develops guidance for their use in Ireland which is contained in the Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland. These guidelines are continuously updated and include guidance on all new vaccines as they are approved for use in Ireland.

Currently, there is limited information from clinical trials with respect to protection against emerging variants. Emerging variants require continuous monitoring of the vaccines’ performance over time.

Details on each of the vaccines can be accessed below:

www2.hse.ie/screening-and-vaccinations/covid-19-vaccine/