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Ireland’s Covid-19 vaccine plan has been released, outlining how up to 14 million doses of approved vaccines will be administered.
According to the plan, there will be three phases: initial implementation, an “acceleration” phase, and open access.
The highest priority groups will be vaccinated in the first phase, which means that those in nursing homes and front-line healthcare workers will be vaccinated first.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said the vaccination program will be “larger and more complex” than previous programs. He said it will “play a central role in our exit from the pandemic.”
“Over time, it will allow us to come back to reopen our society and reconnect in the way we once took for granted,” Donnelly said.
“It has been a difficult year for all of us, across the country. And now we are at the end of this year, where many have mourned the loss of their loved ones.
“It is good to come here in a moment of hope.”
He said the country’s focus was now on the European Medicines Agency (EMA), which could approve a vaccine next week. The first vaccines could be given within days of this approval, which means that some people in Ireland could get vaccinated before the new year.
“We have a plan that is designed to be flexible. It is possible that if the EMA moves this forward, the initial vaccination, a small number of doses, could start before the new year.”
‼ ️ Update on the evaluation of the BioNTech and Pfizer BNT162b2 vaccine marketing authorization application: https://t.co/7UbMtZn8eK
– EU Medicines Agency (@EMA_News) December 15, 2020
Donnelly paid tribute to Professor Brian McCraith, who led the high-level task force that developed the plan. He said the plan was “Team Ireland at work.”
According to the plan, people will be vaccinated at community nursing centers, hospitals and mass vaccination centers. HSE’s Paul Reid said examples of venues that could be used are Citywest and the National Exhibition Center in Cloghran, both in Dublin. GAA stadiums could also be used, he said.
The strategy says that retired medical staff could be called in to administer vaccines. However, most of the work will go to today’s medical and pharmaceutical professionals who will be hitting on people.
Under what is called the “vaccine route,” the plan describes when sectors of society can apply to receive their vaccine.
It says: “The goal is a standard registration process where all key identifying data, demographic data, any required medical information and informed consent are initiated.”
The person will then be offered a vaccination at a designated center.
Upon arrival, the person’s registration details will be verified, their jab will be given, and they will be discharged within 15 minutes. If you receive one of the vaccines that requires two doses, your second appointment will be reminded three weeks later and the process will begin again.
HPRA’s Dr. Lorraine Nolan said there is still a lot of research to be done on the topic of vaccines during pregnancy and that it is not recommended for now.
However, the minister warned that public health guidelines must be met to move forward.
“I want to echo the words of others who have said that we must keep our shape. The level of the virus when we start vaccinating is important. As we look forward, it is important that we continue to take care of each other, continue to stay safe.”
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