Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1429. To ask the Minister for Health if the vaccine certificate will be extended to persons who cannot accept the Covid-19 vaccine for legitimate medical reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63212/21]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1601. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in relation to vaccine certificates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1083/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1429 and 1601 together.

The current high level of COVID-19 infection poses a very substantial threat, particularly to those who are not fully protected through vaccination. Public health advice remains that those who are not fully vaccinated should avoid congregated indoor settings for their own and others safety.

The Department of Health is considering the issues arising for those people that cannot receive a COVID-19 vaccine for medical reasons.

It is important to note that the number of people with an absolute contraindication to COVID-19 vaccination is very small. There are very few people who cannot receive one of the current vaccines due to pre-existing allergies or history of anaphylaxis. Further information, and details of the options available to those who have had a reaction to their first vaccine dose, is available in the Immunisation Guidelines 

www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/hcpinfo/guidelines/covid19.pdf and in the document Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 vaccines for people with pre-existing allergic conditions www.rcpi.ie/news/releases/frequently-asked-questions-about-covid-19-vaccines-for-people-with-pre-existing-allergic-conditions/  

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1430. To ask the Minister for Health the details of the expiry dates of the 500,000 doses of a vaccine (details supplied) that were donated to Nigeria by Ireland through COVAX and which arrived in Nigeria on 29 November 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63216/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Universal and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines is a priority for Ireland and the EU. Ireland's first vaccine donation delivery through the COVAX donation facility took place in November with the delivery of almost 500,000 Janssen COVID-19 vaccines to Nigeria.

It has recently been requested that, from 1 January 2022, donations to COVAX meet certain minimum standards including the recommendation for a minimum of 10 weeks shelf life when donated vaccines doses arrive in-country.

Officials in my Department engage extensively with relevant stakeholders to ensure donated vaccines distributed through COVAX have adequate shelf life to meet recipient country requirements.