People with underlying conditions will be moved up the Covid-19 vaccination priority list.

The Government has accepted the advice from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee, which includes moving those aged 16 to 69 who're very high risk, such as some cancer patients, from seventh to fourth on the list, just after the over 70s.

The fifth cohort has also been changed to include people aged 65 to 69 whose underlying condition puts them at high risk.

 

However, Roscommon-Galway TD Denis Naughten is questioning why vulnerable children are being ignored by NIAC in the announcement on the revised vaccination strategy.

The Independent TD says he accepts that these children with underlying medical conditions cannot be vaccinated themselves, because we have yet to receive vaccine trial evidence on children, but he says it makes it even more important to vaccinate those adults who are in constant contact with vulnerable children in order to minimise the risk of them picking up Covid-19.

Deputy Naughten says another vulnerable cohort are fulltime family carers.

He says that, if carers get sick, then many older people will be forced into hospital or long-term care, putting further pressure on our health system.

Across the EU, US, UK and many other countries, vaccinating family carers is seen as international best practice, yet he says, family carers are still being ignored here in Ireland.