Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North Central, Pádraig O’Sullivan, is calling for gardai and prison officers to be vaccinated in Group 6 of the HSE’s Covid-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy.
Currently, Group 6 includes people aged 65-69, other healthcare workers, and key vaccination programme workers.
Deputy O’Sullivan commented, “Gardai and prison officers are very much on the frontline in the Covid-19 battle. On a daily basis they will have close interactions with people and in many cases direct physical contact with them.
“They perform a key service and should absolutely be included in Group 6. At present there are suggestions that they will fall into Group 10 – this is not good enough and should be immediately reviewed.”
The Cork North Central TD added: “The reality is that with the weather getting better and the possibility of greater gatherings in public areas, policing the nation’s Covid-19 restrictions is going to become even more difficult for members of An Garda Síochána.
“Both gardai and prison officers are regularly putting themselves and members of their families at risk as they deal with uncontrolled situations which arise.”
Deputy O’Sullivan concluded: “I am calling on the HSE and the Minister for Health to move these key personnel into Group 6 of the country’s Covid-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy.”