Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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930. To ask the Minister for Health the process available for persons who have received a first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine but have been advised on medical grounds not to get the second dose of the same vaccine; the persons or bodies such persons can contact to resolve this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52512/21]

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 practices in relation to immunisation. It makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department.

The HSE has been advised to operationalise updated NIAC guidance in relation to the mixing of vaccines, specifically relating to certain people who are yet to complete a two-dose Covid-19 vaccine regimen. The NIAC advice on heterologous vaccination is published in Chapter 5a of the Immunisation Guidelines and is available at the link below:

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

The Immunisation Guidelines state that those individuals who have been administered a first dose of Vaxzevria® (AstraZeneca) and who did not subsequently complete their vaccination schedule as intended, should be offered an mRNA vaccine. Those who receive a heterologous schedule should be considered fully vaccinated after their second vaccine (7 days after Comirnaty® (Pfizer/BioNTech), 14 days after Spikevax® (Moderna).

Individuals with a contraindication to one mRNA Covid-19 vaccine should not receive another authorised mRNA vaccine. Consideration may be given to adenoviral vector vaccination for anyone 18 and older including pregnant women. This should be given after an interval of at least 28 days and the person should be considered fully vaccinate.

As responsibility for the vaccine rollout lies with the Health Service Executive they should be contacted directly regarding any issues.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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931. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address reports (details supplied) regarding a Covid-19 vaccine; the consideration given to this report in the context of Ireland’s Covid-19 vaccine booster campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52514/21]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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965. To ask the Minister for Health if he has asked NIAC to consider offering booster jabs to those who availed of a vaccine (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52694/21]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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1087. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address concerns raised regarding a vaccine booster (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53197/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 931, 965 and 1087 together.

On 8 September, I announced an update to the Covid-19 vaccination programme following advice from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC).

The NIAC 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. The booster dose can be given after a minimum interval of six months following completion of the primary vaccination schedule. I have accepted this advice and the HSE has made the necessary arrangements to operationalise these recommendations with the booster rollout now underway.

The NIAC has now recommended that a booster dose of Pfizer/BioNTech should be offered to all those aged 60-79 who have completed their primary vaccination course with any Covid-19 vaccination. The booster dose should be ideally given 6 months following completion of the primary vaccination schedule (with a minimum interval of 5 months). The HSE has developed an operational plan for the vaccination of this cohort with the programme expected to commence on the week of 1 November.

The NIAC continues to examine emerging evidence regarding booster vaccines for those with waning immunity and reduced effectiveness in other groups, such as those with co-morbidities (under 60 years of age) and healthcare workers and will make further recommendations if required. I have asked the Chief Medical Officer to ensure that the NIAC examine whether there is a clinical need for healthcare workers to receive booster vaccines.