Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

698. To ask the Minister for Health the Government’s strategy for protecting immunocompromised persons who cannot mount a response to a Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57949/22]

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

From the outset, our response to the pandemic has been supported by a strong cross-Government COVID-19 oversight structure to ensure a public health-led, whole-of-society approach to the COVID-19 response.

Our approach to decision making in the pandemic has been underpinned by the core national priorities of protecting the most vulnerable in society from the severe impacts of COVID-19, minimising the burden on the healthcare system, and continuing to keep schools and childcare facilities open. The approach has also been guided by a number of core ethical principles: a duty to provide care, equity, solidarity, fairness, minimising harm, proportionality, reciprocity, and privacy.

In late 2021, our national response transitioned from a focus on regulation and population-wide restrictions to public health advice, personal judgement, and personal protective behaviours.

While Ireland’s approach to managing COVID-19 is now underpinned by individual risk assessment and personal judgement, considerable efforts continue to be made to protect vulnerable people, including those who are immunocompromised.

The Office of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) continues to monitor COVID-19 data closely and advise the Minister for Health and Government in relation to ongoing decision-making processes in respect of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Letters from the CMO to the Minister in relation to COVID-19 are available to read here.

The CMO’s weekly epidemiological updates to the Minister are published on the Department of Health website here, along with the current key public health advice:

- Anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 should self-isolate until 48 hours after symptoms have substantially or fully resolved – please do not attend any social events, work, school or college if you have symptoms.

- Anyone diagnosed with COVID-19 should self-isolate for 7 days from date of onset of symptoms, or if asymptomatic, date of first positive test. Anyone exiting self-isolation at day seven should continue to adhere to other public health protective measures.

- Mask wearing is advised on public transport and in healthcare settings. Mask wearing is also advised based on individual risk assessment. Anyone who wishes to wear a mask should not be discouraged from doing so. Individuals who are vulnerable to COVID-19 are further advised to be aware of the risk associated with activities they may choose to engage in and to take measures to optimally protect themselves. Vulnerable individuals are advised to consider wearing masks in crowded indoor settings, such as may relate, for example, to social gatherings or other activities and events.

- Continue to practise good hand and respiratory hygiene by washing and sanitising hands regularly and coughing/sneezing into your elbow. Maintain a physical distance where possible.

- Meet up outdoors if possible. When meeting indoors, avoid poorly ventilated spaces and keep windows open if possible.

- Many people who were infected with COVID-19 in late 2021 and earlier in 2022 will now be eligible for a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

On 12th October, under the leadership of the CMO, the Department of Health published a strategic report on the management of COVID-19 for the winter period 2022/23. This report sets out the Department of Health’s strategy for the management of COVID-19 for Autumn/Winter 2022/2023 and places a particular emphasis on preparedness and contingency planning. The report has been informed by ongoing, comprehensive monitoring of the epidemiological situation, international guidance, ongoing engagement across the various functions of the Department and the HSE, and by the work of the COVID-19 Advisory Group and the Public Health Reform Expert Advisory Group. The report is available to read here.

The HSE has a webpage with advice on how those who are at higher risk can protect themselves from COVID-19, available here.

The Health Protection and Surveillance Centre (HPSC) also has detailed guidance on its website for people at risk of severe disease which includes advice about available treatments / to seek treatment early if unwell and emphasises the importance of continuing to attend other medical appointments: here

Government communication campaigns continue to emphasise the personal behaviours that protect from COVID-19, with a focus on:

- encouraging everyone to come forward for vaccines and boosters to protect not only themselves but others who they may come into contact with

- reminding of the public health advice to stay at home if sick to reduce the risk of transmission

There is also a specific strand of communication (You never know) acknowledging that as we interact with people in our daily lives, we do not know who amongst them may be at risk from COVID-19, but we do know how to protect them: vaccination, staying home if sick, washing hands, wearing masks, and opening windows.