08 Dec Vaccination Plan for COVID-19 Published

Mayo Fine Gael TD Alan Dillon has today welcomed the publication of the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD strategy for COVID-19 vaccines, following sign-off from Cabinet.

The strategy prioritises those over the age of 65 living in long-term care facilities, frontline healthcare workers who are in direct patient contact and those aged 70 and over.

The Minister also announced that there should be no barrier to people accessing a vaccine, and therefore the vaccine programme will be available free of charge to everyone in Ireland.

The COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy sets out a provisional priority list of groups for vaccination once a safe and effective vaccine(s) has received authorisation from the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Deputy Dillon said: “Recent news from vaccine developers are a beacon of hope after a very difficult year. Vaccination is a hugely effective intervention for saving lives and promoting good health. Of course, the safety and effectiveness of vaccines is our absolute priority and any COVID-19 vaccine administered in Ireland will have to be authorised by the European Medicines Agency. While we await news on whether these vaccines comply with all the EMA’s requirements of quality, safety and efficacy, the Government has been working ahead on plans for the roll-out of vaccines.”

“A key part of the roll-out will be ensuring that those most vulnerable to COVID-19 receive vaccinations first. Given the country’s experience with COVID-19 to date and the risks that vulnerable people and those in frontline roles in the health and social care services continue to face, it is only right that they are prioritised in the allocation of vaccines. The government has followed the advice from our leading medical experts.”

Though Ireland has secured large number of doses of candidate vaccines, the initial availability will be limited if authorised for use, therefore a prioritisation strategy had to be developed.

Deputy Dillon concluded “The COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy prioritises groups based on (1) ethical principles and (2) epidemiological considerations, and takes account of the current distinctive characteristics of the COVID-19 disease, its modes of transmission, the groups and individuals most susceptible to infection and what is currently known about the candidate vaccines.  This Strategy will evolve and adapt with more detailed information on the vaccines and their effectiveness.

The current companies that Advanced Purchase Agreements have been entered into with are:

Pfizer/BioNtech	2.3m
AstraZeneca/OU	3.3m
Janssen J&J	2.2m
CureVac	To be confirmed
Moderna	0.88m

Provisional Vaccine Allocation Groups

Group	Rationale	Ethical Principles
Adults aged ≥65 years who are residents of long-term care facilities. Consider offering vaccination to all residents and staff on site.	At greatest risk of severe illness and death. In Ireland, in the first wave of COVID-19, 56% of deaths occurred in this setting.	In line with the principle of minimising harm, vaccination of this group would protect those at greatest risk of a poor outcome from infection. It adheres to the principle of moral equality and the principle of fairness in recognising the disproportionate burden this group has carried.
Frontline healthcare workers (HCWs)* in direct patient contact roles or who risk exposure to bodily fluids or aerosols and those providing services essential to the vaccination programme.	At very high or high risk of exposure and/or transmission. In the first wave over 30% cases were in healthcare workers.	The principle of minimising harm is realised, as benefit will accrue to healthcare workers and the patients they care for, producing a multiplier effect. Society also has a reciprocity-based duty to protect those who bear additional risks to safeguard the welfare of others.
Aged 70 and older in the following order: 85 and older 80-84 75-79 70-74	At higher risk of hospitalisation and death.	The principle of minimising harm, moral equality and fairness are relevant as this group are at greater risk of carrying disproportionate burdens from the pandemic.
Other HCWs not in direct patient contact.	Provide essential health services, protect patients.	Maintenance of healthcare services, minimises harm by preventing injury, illness and death from causes other than COVID, and the principle of reciprocity is upheld.
Aged 65-69. Prioritise those with medical conditions** which put them at high risk of severe disease.	At higher risk of hospitalisation and death.	By protecting those at greatest risk of poor outcomes from the disease the principle of minimising harm is upheld.
Key workers (to be further refined).	Providing services essential to societal and economic activity.	Upholds principle of minimising harm by protecting the continuing functioning of essential services. The principle of reciprocity is upheld.
Aged 18-64 years with medical conditions** which put them at high risk of severe disease.	At higher risk of hospitalisation.	By protecting those at greatest risk of poor outcomes from the disease the principle of minimising harm is upheld.
Residents of long-term care facilities aged 18-64	High risk of transmission.	The principles of moral equality and fairness are applicable, given the higher risk of exposure to infection and the potential vulnerability of some who may not be able to adequately protect their own interests.
Aged 18-64 years living working in crowded accommodation where self-isolation and social distancing is difficult to maintain.	Disadvantaged sociodemographic groups more likely to experience a higher burden of infection.	The principles of moral equality, minimising harm (especially in the context of multi-generational households) and fairness are relevant. Prioritising this group recognises that structural inequalities make some people more vulnerable than others to COVID-19
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 transport and other vital services	High risk of exposure as unable to work without physical distancing.	The principle of minimising harm is upheld by reducing societal and economic disruption and the principle of reciprocity recognises the additional risk these groups bear in order to provide essential services
Those who are essential to education and who face disease exposure -primary and second level school staff, special needs assistants, childcare workers, maintenance workers, school bus drivers etc.	To maintain the opening of full-time education of all children who have been disproportionately impacted from the pandemic.	Maintaining children’s educational and social development and facilitating parents’ employment adheres to the principle of minimising harm. The principle of reciprocity is also relevant given the potential additional risk being borne by such groups.
Aged 55-64 years.	Based on risk of hospitalisation.	The principles of moral equality, minimising harm and fairness apply.
Those in occupations important to the functioning of society, e.g., third level institutions, entertainment and goods-producing industries who work in settings where protective measures can be followed without much difficulty.	Moderate risk of exposure.	The principle of minimising harm is upheld as protecting workers needed to maintain critical infrastructure and other important services will enable social and economic activity. The principle of fairness and moral equality also apply.
Aged 18-54 years who did not have access to the vaccine in prior phases.	If evidence demonstrates the vaccine(s) prevent transmission, those aged 18-34 should be prioritised due to their increased level of social contact and role in transmission.	The principle of minimising harm is relevant should it become clear that a vaccine can impact on transmission of the virus as this would indirectly protect the most vulnerable in society as well as restore social and economic activity.
Children, adolescents up to 18 years and pregnant women (to be refined).	If evidence demonstrates safety and efficacy.	The principles of moral equality, minimising harm (if vaccines are shown to be safe and effective in these groups) and fairness