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

336. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine booster programme for vulnerable persons; the way appointments will be issued; the basis on which vulnerable patients are being decided; the criteria being used to determine the higher risk category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47234/21]

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

338. To ask the Minister for Health the timelines for the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine booster programme for all vulnerable persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47236/21]

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

343. To ask the Minister for Health the details of the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine booster programme for vulnerable persons; the way in which appointments will be issued; the basis upon which vulnerable patients are being decided; the criteria being used to determine the higher risk category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47261/21]

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

345. To ask the Minister for Health the details of the timelines for the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine booster programme for all vulnerable persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47263/21]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 336, 338, 343 and 345 together.

On 8 September, I announced an update to the Covid-19 vaccination programme following further advice from the NIAC. The Committee has recommended a booster dose of an mRNA vaccine (irrespective of whether the primary vaccination course was of an mRNA or adenoviral vector) for residents aged 65 years and older living in Long Term Residential Care Facilities and for those aged 80 years and older living in the community.

I have accepted this advice and the HSE has been requested to make the necessary arrangements to operationalise the recommendations. The NIAC continues to examine emerging evidence regarding booster vaccines for those with waning immunity and reduced effectiveness in other groups.

As the logistics of the rollout are a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

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

337. To ask the Minister for Health if cardiac patients will be contacted in the early stages of the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine booster programme for vulnerable persons; if heart failure patients will be considered as vulnerable patients given their high-risk category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47235/21]

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

344. To ask the Minister for Health if cardiac patients will be contacted in the early stages of the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine booster programme for vulnerable persons; if heart failure patients will be considered as vulnerable patients given their high-risk category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47262/21]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 337 and 344 together.

On 8 September, I announced an update to the Covid-19 vaccination programme following further advice from the NIAC. The Committee has recommended a booster dose of an mRNA vaccine (irrespective of whether the primary vaccination course was of an mRNA or adenoviral vector) for residents aged 65 years and older living in Long Term Residential Care Facilities and for those aged 80 years and older living in the community.

I have previously accepted the NIAC recommendations regarding the extension of the primary vaccination course with an mRNA dose for immunocompromised individuals aged 12 years and older irrespective of whether the initial doses were an mRNA or adenoviral vector vaccine.

I have accepted the NIAC advice regarding booster doses and the HSE has been requested to make the necessary arrangements to operationalise the recommendations. The NIAC continues to examine emerging evidence regarding booster vaccines for those with waning immunity and reduced effectiveness in other groups.