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The Minister of Education has said that the National Immunization Advisory Council should explain the rationale behind the changes to the vaccine priority list.
On Tuesday it was announced that the National Immunization Program will be switched to an age-based system, once people aged 70 and over, vulnerable people and those with underlying diseases are vaccinated.
Speaking at the time, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said it was a better way to implement the vaccine and would simplify the process once more vaccines arrive later in the year.
However, organizations representing teachers and Gardaí have criticized the decision.
The president of the Association of Garda Representatives said the Gardaí are infuriated and dismayed by the changes, a claim shared by the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland.
Last night, Minister Norma Foley told Fianna Fáil deputies and senators that this is a significant change and that it would be “useful” for CANI to explain the reason for the measure.
He was speaking at a meeting of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party, which heard criticism about the changes and how they were announced.
Yesterday, Dr. Karina Butler, president of the NIAC, said that people aged 60 to 64 have a 70 times higher risk of dying from Covid-19, compared to someone aged 20 to 34.
Speaking on RTÉ’s News at One, he said that “the most appropriate thing is to vaccinate in these age-based cohorts” because they want to keep everyone safe from a bad outcome and protect the health system.
Read more: Latest coronavirus stories
Meanwhile, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar told a meeting of deputies and senators from Fine Gael that the expert advice came just before Wednesday’s cabinet meeting.
He said there was no time for ministers to engage with unions or stakeholders or explain the reason for the change.
Following strong criticism of the move from some of the TDs in his party, Mr. Varadkar said it was notable that concerns were expressed on behalf of the teachers and gardaí, but not others such as the meat plant workers or Childcare.
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