Independent TD for Wexford, Verona Murphy, along with her colleagues in The Regional Group of TDs have called for the Government to immediately outline their contingency plan for the rollout of vaccines to older adults.

Speaking from Leinster House on Wednesday evening, Deputy Murphy said “this evening we have been informed from media sources that the Health Service Executive has stated its advice is that people over 70 years of age should get the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Covid-19 vaccines, rather than the AstraZeneca vaccine. Protecting our most vulnerable with the most effective vaccines is the ultimate goal, however the continuous lack of clarity on the vaccine rollout is an issue, as is the lack of information about projected delivery dates and quantities. And now we have more uncertainty”

Ms. Murphy continued “HSE Chief Clinical Officer Dr Colm Henry has confirmed that the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines afford greater protection for older people. He has also stated that the Pfizer vaccine will be administered by GPs, but we need to know how and when this will commence. We need clarification from the Government and the Minister for Health.

The Regional Independent Group moved to emphasise that this week opposition TDs were given no opportunity to directly question the Minister for Health on matters relating to the rollout of the vaccine even though assurances where given previously that there would be a weekly opportunity to do so. 

The Wexford Independent TD concluded “The Government needs to immediately outline their contingency plan and provide clear information in order to reduce any further anxiety people may be experiencing awaiting vaccines. We also need assurances that there will be no further delays in the vaccine rollout process because of a lack of forward planning by the Government”.