Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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511. To ask the Minister for Health the rationale behind the recent transfer of the Ennis vaccination centre to Ennis General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62476/21]

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.

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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512. To ask the Minister for Health when approval will issue for pregnant women to be able to receive their booster Covid-19 vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62481/21]

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 25 November the NIAC recommended that a booster of an mRNA vaccine be offered to all pregnant women aged 16 years and older. I have accepted this advice following its endorsement by the Chief Medical Officer and planning to operationalise the recommendation is underway by the HSE.