The National Vaccination Programme is to be changed to an age-based system, once those aged 70 years and older, the vulnerable and people with underlying conditions are immunised.
The advice to Government is that it would be simpler from an administration viewpoint and also fairer. A number of professional and other groups have lobbied to be moved up the current vaccination schedule.
The age-based system is expected to come into force after Group 8 are vaccinated, which is residents of long term care facilities aged 18-64.
The new system would see people vaccinated in ten-year age groups, starting with those aged under 64 years. New advice from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee is that no occupational group is at higher risk of