Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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648. To ask the Minister for Health if he will support the inclusion of the future of the medically vulnerable to Covid-19 on the agenda of the next Cabinet committee on health on 13 February 2023; and the plans of his Department and the HSE in relation to enabling the immunocompromised and immunosuppressed to fully participate in society. [6730/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that "future of the medically vulnerable to Covid-19" was not an agenda item at the Cabinet Committee for Health, and that I am committed to supporting those who are immunocompromised and immunosuppressed to fully participate in society as we emerge from the pandemic.

As the Deputy will be aware, 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.

Our national response has now transitioned from a focus on regulation and population-wide restrictions to public health advice, personal judgement, and personal protective behaviours.

It is important to note that current public health advice states that it is safe for the public to go about their daily lives and socialise, while being mindful of the current public health advice. For those with continued concerns, or patients who are immunocompromised, it is important that they speak with their treating clinician or clinical team to understand what their personal risk factors are and what protective measures they can take to protect themselves from COVID-19, including by availing of the vaccine offered to them and the potential use of therapeutics should they test positive for COVID-19.

The HSE has dedicated webpages with advice on how those who are at higher risk can protect themselves from COVID-19, advice for those with a weak immune system, and advice on treatments available for people at the highest risk from COVID-19. See the following links:

www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/people-at-higher-risk/overview/

www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/people-at-higher-risk/weak-immune-system/

www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/symptoms/treatments-for-covid-19/

There is also a specific strand of communication (see: youtu.be/dLUwaA4YCkU) 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.

Finally, I wish to strongly emphasise the importance of vaccination in our continued efforts to mitigate the worst effects of COVID-19. Ireland's COVID-19 vaccination programme is based on the principles of safety, effectiveness and fairness, with the objective of prevention of sickness and mortality, and to preserve the health of people, by prioritising those at highest risk.

The NIAC has recommended a third mRNA booster for people aged 65 years and older, and those aged 12-64 years who are immunocompromised. 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.

My Department continues to monitor COVID-19 and will continue to issue public health advice as required.