Mayo TD assured delays in vaccine deliveries to local GPs now being addressed

A Mayo TD has raised concerns that syringes are not being delivered in alignment with the vaccine to GP practices.

Deputy Dara Calleary elaborated: "In a number of cases there has been a few days' delay in delivery of vaccine consumables.

"Secondly, there are external supply issues absolutely beyond the HSE's control, but I presume we have visibility of supply on a Monday.

"Surely a portal could be established on a Monday to tell each GP what is available each week and to make preparations.

"One cannot set up a vaccine clinic at the hours' notice some GPs have been given.

"Based on internal supply, can we not give more notice to GPs of availability."

In response, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said the roll-out was always a three-week programme.

"In week one 255 GP clinics were involved, week two added another 500, this week the number is 542. There is a number.

"I am told that in about 65 practices where for various reasons it has not been possible to buddy up, they are engaged directly with the IMO and the HSE and they will get their deliveries next week.

"Of course we would love all 1,300 practices to have got exactly what they needed exactly when they needed it but this is complex.

"A lot of changes were required at very short notice when NIAC advice changed.

"It should be remembered that the plan had been to use the AstraZeneca vaccine, which was a much more straightforward logistical operation.

"At very short notice the plan and the recommendation changed to mRNA, which is much more complex.

"On the visibility of supply on a Monday, believe it or not, in the past seven days, AstraZeneca has substantively changed its supply three times.

"Therefore, even on a Monday, there is not full clarity because of what is happening with AstraZeneca."