Write to your TD about Vaccination Priority for all those with CF, especially those at ‘Very High Risk’ from COVID 19
Dear CFI member
As you will be aware, all people with cystic fibrosis are currently designated 7th out of 15 priority categories for COVID-19 Vaccination
Cystic Fibrosis Ireland recognises the challenges to Government/HSE of establishing an equitable framework for vaccination priority in Ireland. We understand that the overall roll out of vaccines is dependent on a number of factors including access to existing and emerging vaccines and the speed in which frontline healthcare workers are vaccinated and other resources/infrastructure.
However we are concerned about an apparent inconsistency particularly between the present vaccination priority list and those designated by the HSE as ‘very high risk’ (also called extremely vulnerable).
The HSE have a designation of those at high risk and very high risk in respect of COVID-19.
However the only very high risk group in category 3 for vaccination priority are those aged over 70 years of age.
To be consistent with the HSE designation and vaccination it would surely make sense that all those groups that are designated very high risk from COVID 19 are also designated as category 3 for vaccination purposes.
We would ask you to consider writing/contacting your TD's on this issue.
While our concern is to ensure that everyone with CF is given greater priority for vaccination. We would also ask you at this time to urge the highest prioritisation should be for those with the most severe forms of CF, including those waiting for a transplant or those that have had a transplant.
These are the people with CF that the HSE has already defined ‘Very High Risk’ and “High Risk'
HSE Designation of Very High Risk Groups (also known as extremely vulnerable)
It would may be helpful to mention in your letter at least a couple of other groups who are ‘Very High Risk’ such as others with very severe lung disease and all those with transplants for example. We need to stand together at this time with other patient groups and it is also the case that some people with CF have other high risk diseases too.
Points to include in your letter might be:
- Improved vaccine prioritisation of all with CF but especially for those designated by the HSE at 'Very High Risk’
- There are 1400 people with CF in Ireland - their vaccination should not be difficult
- We understand front line health workers and those in nursing homes should come first
- Any additional factors in your life at present that would help our overall case in getting better prioritisation
- Remembering all those at ‘Very High Risk’ and not just those with CF as this helps the most ill in our society
Please keep your letter strong, but respectful in tone.
Please also see the letter written to the Minister for Health from Cystic Fibrosis Ireland below.