David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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1048. To ask the Minister for Health the current policy definition of fully vaccinated in the context of Covid-19; if immunocompetent persons under 50 years of age with a previous laboratory confirmed infection within nine months are considered fully vaccinated after one or two doses; the reason for this; if a second dose or booster shot will be required regardless; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41653/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) immunisation guidelines advise that those aged under 50 years of age who have had a previous laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection within the previous 9 months and are not immunocompromised should be considered fully vaccinated after a single vaccine dose. Those previously infected, aged over 50 and/or immunocompromised should receive a full COVID-19 vaccine regimen as they may have mounted a sub-optimal response to infection and require a full vaccination schedule.

The guidelines are available at:

www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/hcpinfo/guidelines/covid19.pdf

The HSE will continue to offer all people a second dose, regardless of a positive COVID-19 test. The option will remain for individuals to choose not to take their second dose if they so wish. It is recommended that individuals discuss these options with their treating physician who is in the best position to give appropriate advice.

The NIAC has recently recommended an extended primary vaccination course with an mRNA vaccine for immunocompromised individuals aged 12 years and older, regardless of whether the primary course was of an mRNA or an adenoviral vector vaccine. The third dose of an mRNA vaccine should be given a minimum of two months after the last dose of the primary vaccination schedule.

The four European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved vaccines have specific definitions for when a person is considered fully vaccinated. It is essential that all individuals receive the full course of vaccination, as per the vaccination schedule if they are to be fully protected.

The following table sets out the definition of ‘fully vaccinated':