Press release
Minister Donnelly announces update to Vaccine Allocation Strategy
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD has today announced an update to Item was unpublished or removed
The government approved the Provisional Vaccine Allocation Strategy on 8 December last year. It was noted at the time that the Strategy would be kept under review and amended as a result of changes to existing evidence and/or the epidemiological situation.
Minister Donnelly said:
"Our COVID-19 Vaccination Programme has always been built on fairness and to ensure that those with the highest risk of severe disease and death were prioritised for vaccines when supplies were limited. This is why the focus has been on those living in nursing homes and our older people in the community.
"The National Immunisation Advisory Council (NIAC), in conjunction with my department, have recommended revising the Vaccine Allocation Strategy. The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) endorsed the recommendations and today they have been approved by Government.
"The primary aim of Ireland’s COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy remains the same. We are continuing to vaccinate those who are most likely to suffer severe disease and sadly, death, as a result of contracting COVID-19. The changes we are making are based on the latest clinical and medical advice that those we are moving up the list would suffer the worst outcomes if they were to get the disease."
In comprising the initial Vaccine Allocation Strategy, the NIAC listed several conditions associated with increased risk of severe disease and death.
In the intervening period, national and international evidence has become available which has enabled a more detailed analysis of underlying conditions that may increase the risk of developing severe disease or death.
NIAC has now been able to more comprehensively identify those medical conditions and to distinguish between those which place a person at very high or high risk of severe disease if they contract the virus.
Medical conditions and the magnitude of the risk they pose will continue to be monitored and periodically reviewed.
Minister Donnelly said:
"Accelerating the vaccination of those with certain pre-existing conditions is consistent with the advice given to Member States by the ECDC.
"It also upholds the principles of minimising harm and fairness that underpin Ireland’s COVID-19 Vaccination Programme by aiming to reduce the disproportionate burden those with underlying conditions face in terms of adverse outcomes from COVID-19.
"The NIAC continues to monitor data around this disease and indeed emerging data on effectiveness of vaccines on a rolling basis."
Those aged 16-69 and at very high risk of severe COVID-19 disease.
All cancer patients actively receiving (and/or within 6 weeks of receiving) systemic therapy with cytotoxic chemotherapy, targeted therapy, monoclonal antibodies or immunotherapies and radical surgery or radiotherapy for lung or head and neck cancer.
All patients with advanced/metastatic cancers.
Chronic kidney disease, on dialysis, or eGFR <15 ml/min.
Chronic neurological disease or condition with evolving ventilatory failure (requiring non-invasive ventilation), for example: motor neurone disease, spinal muscular atrophy.
Chronic severe respiratory disease, for example: severe cystic fibrosis, severe COPD, severe pulmonary fibrosis.
Uncontrolled diabetes, for example: HbA1C ≥58mmol/mol.
Severe immunocompromise due to disease or treatment, for example, Transplantation: - Listed for solid organ or haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) - Post solid organ transplant at any time - Post HSCT within 12 months Genetic diseases: - APECED** - Inborn errors in the interferon pathway Treatment: - included but not limited to Cyclophosphamide, Rituximab, Alemtuzumab, Cladribine or Ocrelizumab in the last 6 months.
Disorders of intermediary metabolism/at risk of acute decompensation, for example: Maple Syrup Urine Disease.
Down Syndrome.
BMI >40 Kg/m2.
Those aged 65-69 and at high risk of severe COVID-19 disease.
Those aged 16-64 and at high risk of severe COVID-19 disease.
Haematological - within 1 year.
Haematological - within 1 - 5 years.
Non-haematological - within 1 year.
All other cancers on non-hormonal treatment.
Chronic heart disease, for example: heart failure, hypertensive cardiac disease.
Chronic kidney disease with eGFR <30ml/min.
Chronic liver disease, for example: cirrhosis or fibrosis.
Chronic neurological disease or condition significantly compromising respiratory function and/or the ability to clear secretions, for example: Parkinson's disease, cerebral palsy.
Other chronic respiratory disease, for example: stable cystic fibrosis, severe asthma (continuous or repeated use of systemic corticosteroids), moderate COPD.
All other diabetes (Type 1 and 2).
Immunocompromise due to disease or treatment, for example: high dose systemic steroids (as defined in Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland Chapter 3), persons living with HIV.
Disorders of intermediary metabolism not fulfilling criteria for very high risk.
Intellectual disability*** excluding Down Syndrome.
BMI >35 Kg/m2.
Severe mental illness, for example: schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, severe depression.
*additional or updated medical conditions
** APECED - autoimmune polyendocrinopathy candidiasis ecto- dermal dystrophy
*** WHO definition of intellectual disability as “impairments in adaptive, social, and intellectual functioning (IQ<70), requiring daily support, with onset in the developmental phase (<18 years)”
These groups will be completed in parallel.
| Group | Rationale |
| All others aged 65-69 | At high risk of hospitalisation and death |
| Other Healthcare Workers not in direct patient contact | Provide essential health services, protect patients |
| Workers key to the vaccination programme | Provide services essential to the vaccination programme |