Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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546. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the establishment of a vaccine injury compensation fund; when this fund will be made available to assist those suffering from adverse effects; the details of the application process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55699/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In June 2018, the Government agreed to the establishment of the expert group to review the management of clinical negligence claims. It was chaired by the High Court judge, Mr. Justice Charles Meenan. The expert group examined the system from the perspective of the person who has made the claim to explore if there is a better way to deal effectively, yet more sensitively, with certain cases.

Mr. Justice Meenan submitted the final report on the current system for managing clinical negligence claims to the then Minister for Health and Minister for Justice in January 2020, prior to the onset of the Covid pandemic. The Government subsequently published the Meenan report in December 2020. One of the report's recommendations is that a compensation scheme be established.

On foot of a request from my Department, the Health Research Board, HRB, carried out an evidence review on the vaccine injury redress programme in other jurisdictions, which was completed in March 2019. The expert group's report, in addition to the HRB's evidence review, and consultation with other Departments and relevant State agencies will inform the development of proposals regarding the establishment of a compensation scheme, including the need for primary legislation, and work to advance policy development in this regard is under way in the Department.

Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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547. To ask the Minister for Health when persons with underlying conditions such as type 1 diabetes will be eligible to get a Covid-19 booster vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55702/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 547 and 548 together.

The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The NIAC makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practices in relation to immunisation.

More than 7.6 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have now been administered since the programme began in December last year. As the first phase of vaccination nears completion, the NIAC has been examining evidence regarding booster vaccines.

The NIAC has recommended that a booster dose of an mRNA vaccine (irrespective of whether the primary vaccination course was of an mRNA or adenoviral vector) be offered to those aged 60 years and older and healthcare workers. The booster dose should be given after an interval of six months (or at least five months) following the last dose of any authorised COVID-19 vaccine. 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 also recommended an additional mRNA dose should be given to those aged 12 years and older with immunocompromise associated with a suboptimal response to vaccination who have completed their primary vaccination course. The third dose of an mRNA vaccine should be given a minimum of two months after the last dose of the primary vaccination schedule.

You can view the NIAC recommendations regarding those with immunocompromise associated with a suboptimal response at the below link.rcpi-live-cdn.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Recommendations-re-additional-COVID-19-vaccine-dose-for-those-with-Immunocompromise-FINAL-30082021.pdf

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 will make further recommendations if required.