Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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552. To ask the Minister for Health the options available in circumstances in which a person who is medically unable to receive a particular vaccine (details supplied) for their booster programme; if other previously approved vaccines will be made available in circumstances in which a person cannot receive the only vaccines available as part of the booster programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60086/21]

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 makes recommendations to my Department are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practices in relation to immunisation.

Following the recommendation for use of vaccines against COVID-19 by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and authorisation for use by the European Commission, the NIAC develops guidance for their use in Ireland which is contained in the Immunisation Guidelines.

The NIAC has recommended that a booster of an mRNA vaccine be offered to all persons aged 16 years and older. The Immunisation Guidelines advise that if a booster mRNA vaccine is contraindicated, consideration can be given to boosting with an authorised non mRNA vaccine following an individual benefit-risk assessment.