High Level Task Force on COVID-19 Vaccination - 5 July 2021 Meeting Updates, decisions and actions from meeting
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High Level Task Force on COVID-19 Vaccination 5 July 2021 Meeting Updates, decisions and actions from meeting
High Level Taskforce on COVID-19 Vaccination | 5 July 2021 Meeting
High Level Task Force on COVID-19 Vaccination
Monday 5 July 2021 14:00
1. Attendees
A. Members in attendance B. Additional attendees in support
Prof Brian MacCraith, Task Force Chair Dr Ronan Glynn, Deputy CMO, DOH
Liz Canavan, Chair, SOG on COVID-19 David Walsh, SRO WS4
Prof Karina Butler, Chair, NIAC Dr John Cuddihy, SRO WS5
Dr Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer, HSE David Leach, SRO WS7
Fergal Goodman, Assistant Secretary, Health
Kate Waterhouse, Task Force Secretariat
Protection Division, DOH
Barry Lowry, Chief Information Officer, OGCIO Deirdre Watters, Head of Communications
Derek McCormack, Expert on Cold Chain Logistics Damien McCallion, National Director, HSE
Sean Bresnan, National Director of Procurement,
Dr Lorraine Nolan, Chief Executive, HPRA
HSE
Dalton Philips, Chief Executive Officer, DAA Roisin Collier, DOH
Paul Quinn, Government CPO and CEO, OGP Eileen Hearne, Government Information Service
Paul Reid, Chief Executive Officer, HSE Deirdre Gillane – Chief of Staff
Dermot Mulligan, Assistant Secretary, Innovation
Anna Conlon, Special Advisor
and Investment Division, DETE
Martin Shanahan, Chief Executive Officer, IDA Brian Murphy, Special Advisor
Derek Tierney, Programme Director Deirdre McNamara, Acute Hospitals Division, HSE
B. Additional attendees in support Michael Butler (PWC), Programme Office
Minister Stephen Donnelly, Minister for Fiona Smith (PWC), Programme Office
Health
Dr Lucy Jessop, SRO WS2, Director, NIO
Apologies: Rachel Kenna, Chief Nursing Officer, DOH, Dr Nuala O'Connor, ICGP, Gerry O’Brien,
Health Protection Division, DOH; Dr Lorraine Doherty, Clinical Director Health Protection, HSE
2High Level Taskforce on COVID-19 Vaccination | 5 July 2021 Meeting
Updates, decisions and approvals by Task Force
At the meeting, the Task Force:
• Noted that almost 50% of all adults are fully vaccinated, 340k vaccines are being
administered a week and there is a new operational plan following the NIAC
recommendations regarding the ongoing role of viral vector vaccines for the 18 – 49
group.
• Heard a communications update: public information campaigns continue to run
including: #ForUsAll; radio ads for registration of those aged 35-39 and vaccinations
in pharmacies for those aged 18-34 are on air; material targeting a range of
communities, including across languages; community pharmacies; young science
communicators focussing on vaccine myth-busting/hesitancy. High traffic continues
to HSE.ie.
News coverage included: the Digital COVID Certificate/implementation in Ireland;
the role of pharmacists, purchase of vaccines from other countries and queries
regarding roll out to children aged 12-15. Research continues to show positive
vaccine intent with some rise in hesitancy among younger adults although this
remains at less than 10%.
• Heard a programme update: Over 4.3 m vaccines have now administered – at least
68% of adults have received a Dose 1 and almost 50% are fully vaccinated. Last week
saw 348K vaccines administered with over 50k administered per day on four days.
Rollout of AstraZeneca with the reduced interval continues with 103k dose 2’s
administered last week. This is due to complete on 19 July. Work on procuring
additional supplies from EU members states continues
• Heard a brief update from Dr. Ronan Glynn on the Delta variant. The variant is 40-
60% more transmissible than the Alpha variant. Full vaccination provides very strong
protection. Highlighted the need for monitoring across all age groups. A further
update will be provided at the next meeting when more data is available.
• Over 300K vaccines are planned for administration w/c 5 July, including for cohorts
2, 4, 5, 7 and 9. Registration portal for mRNA vaccine will open on 9 July for those
aged 30-34. Those aged 18-29 will be able to register in August. Those aged 18-34
can currently register with participating community pharmacies if they wish to avail
of Janssen. From w/c 12 July a further option will open on the HSE portal to allow
those aged 18-34 to opt in to an early vaccination with either AstraZenca or Janssen.
• Reviewed a programme status report noting that supply remains the key challenge
and that work remains ongoing across all workstreams. Under WS4, vaccination
continues across cohorts. Over-70s complete with NAS programme ongoing within
local communities. Cohort 4 substantially complete. Vaccination of vulnerable
groups ongoing and expanded to include those in Direct Provision Centres and those
in receipt of Opioid Substitution Treatment. Vaccination of prisoners continues with
a majority having received dose 1. Under WS6, the focus continues to be on
maintaining stability and business continuity of operations. Scoping and planning of
3High Level Taskforce on COVID-19 Vaccination | 5 July 2021 Meeting
Sprint 12, with a focus on data quality including pharmacy integration and
supporting Digital Covid Certification, is close to completion.
• Discussed Integrated Operational Planning. Noted the recent NIAC guidance in the
context of the threat of a further wave of Covid-19 infections. Those aged 18 to 34
will be offered the option of earlier vaccination with either AstraZenca or Janssen,
• AZ Dose 2 programme: acceleration continues across cohorts 2, 4, 5 and 7
(455K individuals) and is on track to complete by 19 July.
• VCs: 42 sites are currently operational nationally (1.8m doses administered to
date). Significant work has been carried out by HSE Estates on sustainability,
with extensions now agreed for 32 VCs. Work continues in relation to the
remainder. Vaccination centres have the capacity to absorb additional
vaccine supplies should they become available. The Chair acknowledged the
work of the HSE estates team.
• VC vaccinations: analysis for the period 21-26 June show a cumulative DNA
figure of 5.7%, based on 330,728K appointments scheduled. Over the period
31 May – 27 June the DNA figure was 6.4% based on almost 1.08m
appointments scheduled. DNA rate to be monitored over the coming months
in terms of people receiving dose 2.
• Workforce readiness: no issues, there are sufficient vaccinators to deliver
scheduled supply
• Vaccination uptake: continues to be extremely strong, including relative to
European figures.
• The vaccination programme will now have a twin track approach. Those aged
34-30 can register for mRNA vaccine from 9 July with registration continuing
for those aged 29-18 throughout August. From 5 July those aged 18-34 can
register with participating community pharmacies to receive Janssen. From
w/c 12 July the HSE registration portal will allow those aged 18-34 who opt
into an early vaccination to register their interest from AstraZenca or Janssen
• Discussed the importance of clear communication of the messages from
CMO and NIAC regarding the ongoing role of viral vector vaccines for the 18 –
49 group, specifically:
▪ 1) Currently, an mRNA vaccine is preferable for those under 50 years
of age. The data from the ComCov study is awaited to inform any
further recommendations regarding heterologous vaccination.
▪ 2) The prevalence of the new, more transmissible Delta variant has
changed the balance of risks. Those aged 16 – 49 years should be
offered an mRNA vaccine as previously recommended according to
their age. Those aged 18-49 years who wish to opt for earlier
vaccination can be offered an adenoviral vector vaccine.
▪ 3) That the programme will now offer younger people access to the
adenoviral vector vaccine if they feel, having been provided with
appropriate information to inform their decision on the risks and
benefits applicable to their own individual situation (as part of the
informed consent process) that they should take this vaccine earlier
rather than wait for an mRNA vaccine.
4High Level Taskforce on COVID-19 Vaccination | 5 July 2021 Meeting
• Discussed vaccine supply and forecast noting that the programme is at peak supply
levels to date with the largest delivery of AZ due this week.
• On medium-term issues, noted: that the matter of sustainability of vaccination
capacity is closed; NIAC considerations on boosters; threats of variants and
vaccination for those aged 12-15, especially medically vulnerable.
• Reviewed operational performance, including the scorecard, noting that over
4.396m doses have been administered up to 4 July with almost 50% fully vaccinated.
300k vaccines planned for the coming week not including those administered in
pharmacies. EMA approval of the use of Pfizer/BioTech vaccine for adolescents.
• Noted, in summary, the NIAC recommendations and new operational plan; supply
updates and impact; engagement with members states to explore surplus vaccine
availability; the positive update and significant work done in respect of VC
sustainability; and the ongoing positive impact of the vaccine programme.
• Agreed that the next meeting of the HLTF will take place on Monday 12 July.
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