James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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332. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to provide a booster vaccination for 12 to 15 year olds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3998/22]

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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362. To ask the Minister for Health when persons with underlying health conditions aged between 11 and 16 years of age will be offered a Covid-19 vaccine booster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4137/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 332 and 362 together.

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.