Details announced of groups to be prioritised in Covid vaccine rollout

The Minister for Health has announced that people over the age of 65 who are living in long-term care facilities, frontline healthcare workers who are in direct patient contact, and those aged 70 and over will be the first groups prioritised for Covid-19 vaccines.

Minister Stephen Donnelly gave the first details of the Government's Covid-19 vaccine allocation strategy following sign-off from the cabinet earlier today.

He also confirmed that the vaccination programme for the virus will be made available free of charge to everyone in Ireland.

The vaccine allocation strategy was based on a paper from the Department of Health and National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC).

It sets out a provisional priority list of groups for vaccination once one or more safe and effective vaccine receives authorisation from the European Medicines Agency.

"Recent news from vaccine developers is a beacon of hope after a very difficult year," said Minister Donnelly.

"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."

"A key part of the roll-out will be ensuring that those most vulnerable to Covid-19 receive vaccinations first," he added.

"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 Minister advised that the continued adherence to public health measures was critical to keeping the disease at bay.

"Through so much hard work and sacrifice, we now have the lowest 14-day incidence rate of Covid-19 in the EU. We are in a good position, and we want to keep it like that. Please remember that every single contact counts," he said.

The full priority sequence for Covid-19 vaccination here is as follows:

* Over-65s in long-term care facilities (vaccinations expected to be offered to all staff and residents on site).

* Frontline healthcare workers in direct patient-contact roles.

* Those aged 70 and older in the following order: 85 and older, 80-84, 75-79, 70-74.

* Other healthcare workers not in direct patient contact.

* Those aged 65-69, with priority to be given to those with medical conditions which put them at high risk.

* Key workers "providing services essential to societal and economic activity."

* Those aged 18-64 years with medical conditions which put them at high risk.

* Residents of long-term care facilities aged 18-64.

* Those aged 18-64 who are living working in crowded accommodation where social distancing is difficult to maintain.

* Key workers "in essential jobs who cannot avoid a high risk of exposure to Covid-19." These include workers in the food supply system, public and commercial transport, and other vital services.

* Educational workers such as primary and second level school staff, special needs assistants, childcare workers, maintenance workers and school bus drivers.

* Those aged 55-64 years.

* Those in occupations important to the functioning of society, e.g., third-level institutions, entertainment, and goods-producing industries.

* Those aged 18-54 who did not have access to the vaccine in prior phases.

* Children, adolescents up to 18 years, and pregnant women - if evidence demonstrates vaccine safety and efficacy.