Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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950. To ask the Minister for Health if there are plans to change the criteria for those who are eligible for the third booster to include people of under 50 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54341/22]

Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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1019. To ask the Minister for Health if there is an estimated timeline for the second Covid-19 booster to be rolled out for those of under 50 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54608/22]

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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1244. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update as of November 2022 as to the progress of the roll-out of COVID-19 booster vaccines to those under 50 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55636/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 950, 1019 and 1244 together.

Ireland's COVID-19 vaccination programme is based on the principles of safety, effectiveness and fairness, with the objective of reducing severe illness, hospitalisations and deaths from COVID-19 infection.

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.

Following the recommendation for use of vaccines against COVID-19 by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and authorisation for use by the European Commission, the NIAC develops guidance for their use in Ireland which is contained in the Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland. These guidelines are continuously updated and include guidance on all new vaccines as they are approved for use in Ireland.

You can view the updated guidelines here:

www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/hcpinfo/guidelines/covid19.pdf

The NIAC has recommended a first mRNA booster vaccine for those aged 5-11 years with a weak immune system;  a second mRNA booster dose for those aged 50-64 years, persons aged 12-49 years with an underlying medical condition or are residents of long-term care facilities. 

The NIAC has also made a number of recommendations regarding the Autumn/Winter period. It has advised that healthcare workers are offered a second mRNA booster and a third mRNA booster is recommended for persons aged 65 years and older, and those aged 12-64 years who are immunocompromised. The Chief Medical Officer has endorsed these recommendations and the rollout is underway.

The NIAC will continue to examine emerging evidence regarding booster vaccines for others in the population where there is evidence of waning immunity and reduced effectiveness and will make further recommendations if required.

Further information on the booster vaccine rollout can be viewed here:

www2.hse.ie/screening-and-vaccinations/covid-19-vaccine/get-the-vaccine/covid-19-vaccine-booster-dose/