Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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545. To ask the Minister for Health if he will extend the period of presumptive immunity from six to nine months post-Covid-19 infection given HIQAs latest advice to NPHET; if the certificate of recovery will also be extended from six to nine months to reflect HIQAs position; if not, the reason a certificate of recovery and immunity only lasts for six months given that studies show that the period of immunity lasts for nine months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58467/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The EU Digital COVID Certificate is a document which is issued to help facilitate enable the safe and free international movement of people across the EU during the COVID-19 pandemic. The scope and details to be included in each Digital COVID Certificate has been agreed at EU level and is standardized across the EU to allow for complete interoperability.

The dataset to be included in each Digital COVID Certificate is specified in Annex I of the EU Digital COVID Certificate Regulation. The dataset for a certificate of recovery includes the requirement that it is a ‘certificate valid until (not more than 180 days after the date of first positive NAAT test result)’.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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546. To ask the Minister for Health if the figures on the period of presumptive immunity from Covid-19 are being collated for those who have recovered from Covid-19 and therefore have presumed natural immunity following HIQAs latest study; if these levels of immunity are being considered in the formulation of policy decisions regarding Covid-19; if information is being collated on the number of unvaccinated persons who have presumed natural immunity and on the number of unvaccinated persons who have recovered from Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58468/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that on the 11^thNovember, the NPHET endorsed the recommendation of the HIQA that the period of presumptive protective immunity following infection with SARS-CoV-2 should remain at nine months post-infection at this time, subject to ongoing review and monitoring of national surveillance data and research evidence. The NPHET further accepted the HIQA’s advice that communication campaigns should continue to encourage people to come forward for vaccination, including those who have been previously infected with SARS-CoV-2.The HIQA advice is available here: www.hiqa.ie/reports-and-publications/health-technology-assessment/duration-protective-immunity-protection.

As is standard in epidemiological models, the Irish Epidemiological and Advisory Group’s (IEMAG) modelling work assumes that infection with SARS-CoV-2 confers very long lasting immunity. The models have been adapted to allow for waning of vaccine induced immunity, and are also being adapted to allow for waning of infection-induced immunity.

The IEMAG’s work is presented at NPHET meetings and forms a key input with regard to informing NPHET discussions and advice on the ongoing management of the COVID-19 response.

The NPHET provides evidence-based policy advice to the Minister for Health in accordance with its Terms of Reference, available here: www.gov.ie/en/collection/691330-national-public-health-emergency-team-covid-19-coronavirus/#terms-of-reference.