Members of the Traveller and Roma communities, as well homeless people and residents of long-term care facilities, will be prioritised for vaccination based on risk rather than age. NIAC said that these groups are at significantly increased risk of hospitalisation, ICU admission or death from Covid-19 compared to the general population. It is understood these higher risk groups will be vaccinated regardless of their age, at the same time as the first rollout begins to people aged 55-64. Several representative groups for gardaí, teachers and transport workers have called for their members to be prioritised in the vaccine rollout. On Monday NIAC issued updated evidence-based recommendations to the Department of Health on prioritisation groups for Covid-19 vaccination.

Source: Irish Independent March 31, 2021 11:37 UTC