Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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1460. To ask the Minister for Health if he will prioritise persons in the 20 years of age cohort for the booster vaccination given this group has only received one shot of a vaccine (details supplied) and are vulnerable; if pharmacists will be allowed to carry out boosters for persons in this cohort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63341/21]

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 the 13th December, the NIAC recommended that the interval between the primary vaccine series and booster dose should be reduced to three months. In making its latest recommendations, NIAC has reiterated the need for booster vaccines to be offered to those in previously recommended groups before progression to the younger age cohorts.

The NIAC has 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 16 years and older with the rollout now underway. The NIAC will continue to examine emerging evidence regarding booster vaccines and will make further recommendations if required.