Here’s how the Covid-19 vaccine will be rolled out in Ireland once it’s approved

The government has announced a provisional priority list of groups for vaccination once a safe and effective vaccine has been approved.

Over 65s in long-term care, frontline healthcare workers and people over 70 will be the first in Ireland to receive the Covid-19 vaccine once it is approved. The government has announced its allocation strategy for Covid-19 vaccines, following sign-off from Cabinet. Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly announced announced the allocation strategy which sets out a provisional priority list of groups for vaccination once a safe and effective vaccine has received authorisation from the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The vaccine programme will be available free of charge to everyone in Ireland once its approved. The provisional vaccine groups as decided by the government are as follows:

1. Adults aged ≥65 years who are residents of long-term care facilities
2. 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.
3. Aged 70 and older in the following order: 85 and older, 80-84, 75-79, 70-74.
4. Other HCWs not in direct patient contact.
5. Aged 65-69. Prioritise those with medical conditions which put them at high risk of severe disease.
6. Key workers (to be further refined).
7. Aged 18-64 years with medical conditions which put them at high risk of severe disease.
8. Residents of long-term care facilities aged 18-64.
9. Aged 18-64 years living working in crowded accommodation where self-isolation and social distancing is difficult to maintain.
10. Key workers in essential jobs who cannot avoid a high risk of exposure to Covid-19, including workers in the food supply system and public and commercial transport.
11. Those who are essential to education and who face disease exposure such as teachers, support staff and childcare workers.
12. Aged 55-64 years.
13. Those in occupations important to the functioning of society such as third level institutions or entertainment and goods-producing industries.
14. Aged 18-54 years who did not have access to the vaccine in prior phases.
15. Children, adolescents up to 18 years and pregnant women (to be refined).

"Recent news from vaccine developers are a beacon of hope after a very difficult year," Donnelly said. "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 of 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.” The plan is available to read in full here.