Written answers
Wednesday, 4 October 2023
Department of Health
Vaccination Programme
Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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214. To ask the Minister for Health the reason Covid-19 booster vaccines are being restricted to older and vulnerable people when US health officials are recommending that everyone over the age of six months receive the latest annual Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43033/23]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The COVID-19 Vaccination Programme's scope is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The Autumn/Winter rollout will see a further booster rolled out to the following cohorts;
• those aged 50 years and older• those aged 5-49 years with immunocompromise associated with a suboptimal response to vaccination• those aged 5-49 years with medical conditions associated with a higher risk of Covid-19 hospitalisation, severe disease or death• health and care workers
The NIAC has also advised that pregnant adolescents and adults should receive a COVID-19 booster vaccine once in pregnancy if it is more than six months since their previous COVID-19 vaccine or infection.
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.
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