Last night, 23rd Feb, the Government launched the COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 strategy. The plan aims to pave the way through the pandemic and outlines the “Path Ahead”, the situation over the next 6 weeks and beyond.

The cabinet agreed for level 5 restrictions to remain in place until at least the 5th of April. There will be 3 changes to the level 5. The phased safe return of education will begin, early childcare will resume and non-covid health and social care services will reopen.

Schools and Childcare

The safe return of in-school education and childcare services will take place on a cautious and phased basis during March and April. The government will carefully monitor the impact of each phase of reopening and phases may be delayed if necessary.

The proposed timeline for the safe return to education is as follows:

If you have any concerns about your child with CF returning to school at this time please contact your CF team to discuss.

Vaccination Rollout

The plan also outlines changes to the vaccination priority groups. Following a review of national and international evidence, and a detailed analysis of underlying conditions that may increase the risk of developing severe disease or death from COVID-19, the National Immunisation Advisory Council (NIAC) recommended the revision of the vaccine allocation strategy.

NIAC has now been able to more comprehensively identify those medical conditions and to distinguish between those which place a person at very high or high risk of severe disease if they contract the virus.

The updated priority groups are as follows:

• Those aged 16-69 with a medical condition that puts them at very-high risk of severe disease and death will be Cohort 4 and will be vaccinated directly after those aged ≥70 and living in the community. This includes people with clinically unstable CF, those who are listed for a solid organ transplant and anyone who has had a solid organ transplant.
• Cohort 5 will consist of those aged between 65 and 69 whose underlying condition puts them at a high risk of severe disease and death.
• Cohort 6 will comprise those aged 65-69. They will be vaccinated alongside healthcare workers who are not in a patient facing role. Key workers essential to the vaccine programme will also be included in this cohort.
• Cohort 7 will consist of those aged 16-64 who have an underlying condition that puts them at high risk of severe disease and death. This includes people with clinically stable CF.

Your CF team will be able to advise you if your CF is clinically stable or unstable if you are unsure.

Further information on the updated vaccine priority groups can be found here.

Further good news on the progress of the vaccination rollout may provide some relief to those living with CF who remain in group 7. The government expects that 40% of adults aged 18 and over will have received their first dose of vaccine by the end of April. Over 60% will have received 1 dose by the end of May and over 80% will have received their 1st dose by the end of June, with 55-60% expected to be fully vaccinated (2 doses if required) at that stage.

While carers were not mentioned in the updated priority groups, NIAC have stated that they will continue to look at other priority groups yet to be vaccinated including carers and those who are socially vulnerable or disadvantaged. CFI will continue to advocate in this regard.

After April 5th

If the transmission of the virus reaches acceptable levels, the vaccination programme progresses as planned and public health advice allows, further options that will be considered from 5 April are:

• some easing of restrictions on outdoor activities and meetings beyond 1 other household
• consideration of extending the current 5km limit
• staggered start of easing of other areas of restriction with a focus on outdoor activities including sport and some areas of construction

Any further easing of restrictions after 5 April will need a further three to four week period to allow for assessment of the impact of changes

Economic measures

The government also announced the extension of worker supports, including the Wage Subsidy Scheme, the Pandemic Unemployment Payment and the COVID-19 Enhanced Illness Benefit until 30th June 2021.

Additional supports, mental health and wellbeing.

CFI are acutely aware of the impact that another 6 weeks of level 5 restrictions may have for you all. For those who are cocooning, their family and friends, this pandemic has been particularly hard. The vaccination programme brings hope and the possibility of some much needed family visits in the months to come. With a fourth vaccine expected to be approved by the EMA soon and the ramping up of the vaccination rollout, we are well on track to safer times.

Please do not hesitate to contact any member of the team in CFI if you have any questions, need a chat or are looking for additional supports.

A list of available mental health supports and services can be found on the HSE website, click here for details.

Further information

• Further information on the new Resilience and Recovery plan can be found here.
• Information on CF and COVID-19 can be found here.
• Click here for information on the COVID vaccines.
• For information on the updated vaccine priority groups click here.