We need to see the plan for rolling out the Covid vaccine
- Given the difficulties with the distribution of the flu vaccine
The Government need to outline the plan for the roll out of any Covid-19 vaccine according to Labour Leader Alan Kelly who was speaking at Leaders Questions.
Deputy Kelly asked the Taoiseach to publish the plan for the rollout of a vaccine and to provide an update on the taskforce established to manage the distribution of the vaccine.
Deputy Kelly said:
“We need to know about the plan for the rollout of this particular vaccine, about discussions with the European Commission regarding their contract to purchase 300 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine around when it will be available and how much will come to Ireland. There needs to be coordination across society and there needs to be an indicative plan for healthcare.
“I hope we will be able to administer it a whole lot better than we are giving out the flu vaccine because we need to dramatically improve before we roll out the Covid vaccine. Last year I repeatedly asked on the floor of the Dáil and in Committee that the Government would purchase enough of the flu vaccine to administer it free to everyone in the country and the Government repeatedly refused and we are where we are today as a result.
“There are huge administrative differences with the way the vaccine is distributed. GP’s should not have to log onto the PCRS system every time they distribute a vaccine in order to claim payment. This is an administrative burden.
“The Taoiseach needs to tell us about the plan for the rollout of the Covid vaccine and he needs to outline how we will ensure that we get this out in a more efficient manner given the difficulties with the distribution of the flu vaccine this year.