To ask the Minister of Health to detail (i) the communication policy of his Department as regards countering misinformation about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccines; and (ii) what plans he has for updating and expanding this policy.

The member will be aware that every effort is made to ensure the correct and most recent information is available to the public domain.

Within the Public Health Agency, a Vaccine Communications Plan has been developed. A key objective of this is to monitor and counter vaccine misinformation through the provision of clear and targeted information across the most appropriate channels.

The Vaccine communications sub group meet weekly.

At this meeting the group evaluates, reviews and plans messaging relating to key themes (including vaccine misinformation) thereby addressing any emerging issues which may negatively impact the programme roll out.