Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

302. To ask the Minister for Health if Covid-19 vaccines will be made available to children under five years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62850/22]

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

Ireland welcomes the European Medicines Agency (EMA) age extension recommendation for the COVID-19 vaccine Comirnaty and Spikevax to include use in children aged 6 months to 4 years.

The COVID-19 Vaccination Programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). Its recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland, international best practices in relation to immunisation as well as evidence-based analysis and expert medical advice.

The NIAC makes recommendations on immunisation matters to my department and these are then evaluated by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) following which the CMO will make a formal policy recommendation which I will then give consideration to.