Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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310. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to ensure that Covid-19 booster vaccines are administered before they expire following media reports that 400,000 to 500,000 doses are due to go out of date over the next two weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2831/22]

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.

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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311. To ask the Minister for Health when a decision will be made on Covid-19 booster shots for those in the 12 to 15 years of age cohort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2837/22]

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.

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.