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Health Minister Stephen Donnelly today announced the strategy for the deployment of the Covid-19 vaccine in Ireland.
The strategy prioritizes those over 65 who live in long-term care facilities, frontline health workers who are in direct contact with patients and those over 70.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly also announced that the vaccine program will be available free of charge to everyone in Ireland.
The deployment of the vaccine will begin once it has been approved by the European Medicines Agency, a decision is expected to be made on December 29.
Once the vaccine has been approved, implementation can begin with the most vulnerable groups before moving on to the next group on the list. The most likely start date for the first group to receive vaccinations will be early January.
The list of interim vaccine assignment groups is as follows:
- Adults ≥65 years of age residing in long-term care facilities who may offer immunizations to all residents and staff at the facility
- Frontline health workers who have direct contact roles with patients.
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Older than 70 years in the following order: older than 85, 80-84, 75-79, 70-74.
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Other healthcare workers who are not in direct contact with the patient.
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People ages 65 to 69 with people who have medical conditions that put them at high risk for serious illness are prioritized.
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Key workers (more details on this to be announced).
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Those ages 18 to 64 with medical conditions that put them at high risk for serious illness.
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Long-term care facility residents ages 18-64.
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Aged 18 to 64 who lives working in a crowded accommodation where self-isolation and social distancing is difficult to maintain.
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Key workers in essential jobs who cannot avoid a high risk of exposure to COVID-19. They include workers in the food supply system, public and commercial transportation, and other essential services.
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Those who are essential to education and who face exposure to disease: elementary and second level school personnel, special needs aides, child care workers, maintenance workers, school bus drivers, etc.
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People from 55 to 64 years old.
(Image: Gareth Chaney / Collins)
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Those in occupations important to the functioning of society, for example, tertiary institutions, entertainment industries, and production of goods who work in environments where protective measures can be followed without much difficulty.
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Age 18-54 years who did not have access to the vaccine in previous phases.
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Children, adolescents up to 18 years of age and pregnant women (to be refined).
The Health Minister said: “The recent news from vaccine developers is a ray of hope after a very difficult year. Vaccination is a highly effective intervention to save lives and promote good health.
“Of course, the safety and efficacy of vaccines is our top priority and any COVID-19 vaccine administered in Ireland will have to be licensed by the European Medicines Agency.
“While we await news on whether these vaccines meet all EMA requirements for quality, safety and efficacy, the Government has been working early on plans for the launch of vaccines.”
“A key part of the rollout will be ensuring that those most vulnerable to COVID-19 get their vaccines first.
“Given the country’s experience with COVID-19 to date and the risks that vulnerable people and those in front-line positions in health and social care continue to face, it is only fair that they be prioritized in the allocation of vaccines.
“The government has followed the advice of our leading medical experts.”
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