Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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493. To ask the Minister for Health the reason cancer patients at St. James’s Hospital were asked to attend the hospital recently for a Covid-19 booster vaccination but instead received an additional vaccination (details supplied) and were informed that they would be invited back in six months for a booster shot; the reason they received a vaccination card which showed that they had received an additional Covid-19 vaccination dose while the Covid-19 booster dose box was left unchecked; the difference between these two categories; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this has caused a level of confusion and anxiety amongst vulnerable patients; if another layer of treatment has been introduced; the reason there appears to be no information available on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56824/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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494. To ask the Minister for Health when he last met the National Immunisation Advisory Committee in relation to advice regarding a widespread booster campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56827/21]

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 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.

On 15 November the NIAC recommended that a booster of an mRNA vaccine be offered to persons aged 16-59 years with underlying conditions, all residents in Long Term Healthcare Facilities and persons aged 50-59 years. The Chief Medical Officer has endorsed the latest NIAC recommendations and written to the HSE to request that the recommendations be operationalised as soon as possible.

The NIAC has previously 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 will continue to examine emerging evidence regarding booster vaccines for others in the population where there is evidence of waning immunity and reduced effectiveness and will make further recommendations if required.