To ask the Minister of Health whether (i) patients over 65 with, or who have suffered from in the previous two years, (a) latent tuberculosis; (b) pneumonia; (c) bronchiectasis; or (d) repeated chest infections, will be considered at high risk from COVID-19; and (ii) they will be put forward for quicker treatment with the COVID-19 vaccine.

There is a published list that details those at higher risk from coronavirus. The list is not exhaustive and may change as we learn more about the virus. This can be found at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/people-at-higher-risk/whos-at-higher-risk-from-coronavirus/

Vaccination policy in Northern Ireland is based on the recommendations and advice provided by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) which advises the 4 UK Health Ministers.

JCVI advice on prioritisation of the vaccine was published on 2nd December 2020. The ranking of priorities is a combination of clinical risk stratification and an age-based approach, which should optimise both targeting and deliverability.

JCVI has advised that the first priorities for the COVID-19 vaccination programme should be the prevention of mortality and the maintenance of the health and social care systems. As the risk of mortality from COVID-19 increases with age, prioritisation is primarily based on age.

Many of those who are clinically extremely vulnerable (high risk) are in the oldest age groups and will be among the first to receive vaccine. From early January 2021, subject to the availability of a suitable vaccine, it is intended to roll out the programme through primary care led vaccination clinics which will be responsible for the vaccination of those considered most at risk, which will include the majority of people who were on the vulnerable list.