Key decisions imminent on nationwide roll-out of Covid vaccine

Key decisions are imminent on the nationwide roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine.

A detailed plan for the programme is due to be outlined when the members of the task force, headed by Professor Brian MacCraith, makes a presentation to the government on December 11.

Tanáiste Leo Varadkar has confirmed that the task force is in charge of purchases, delivery, administration, IT systems, communication and all such things associated with the vaccine.

He elaborated: "It is a really good group and there is no better person than Professor MacCraith to be head of it.

"Everyone is at the table, including officials from my Department and IDA Ireland because of our engagement with industry and the companies that developed and made the vaccine.

"As far as I know — I am fairly sure of this — prioritisation is not a matter for the task force, it is a matter for the National Immunisation Advisory Committee.

"That is the body that makes these kinds of decisions on other vaccines. We expect a report from it very soon on the order of prioritisation. I do not believe it will be rocket science.

"Everyone understands that those who will be prioritised include those who need the vaccine the most, including healthcare workers, because they are at greater risk and because there is a risk that they will spread the virus to patients, and residents of nursing homes, those who are older and those with chronic diseases.

"Logically, those are the groups that will be prioritised. Perhaps people who work in high-risk environments, such as meat factories, will be also prioritised.

"There will be no charge for the vaccine. It will be paid for through taxation. It will be ensured that those who need it the most get it first.

"We have an option for purchase already with five or six of the companies that have developed the vaccine. We are also providing an indemnity to companies, which we must do given that this is a very new vaccine.

"We are indemnifying the companies that produce it, as are other member states.

"I do not know what private enterprises intend to do. I am aware that they sometimes buy the flu vaccine and provide it as a benefit to their staff.

"This is unlikely on this occasion, first of all because they have not entered into pre-purchase agreements with the production companies."

Minister Varadkar was responding to a parliamentary question by Labour Party leader, Deputy Alan Kelly.