A chara, – Paul Cullen's article, "Why is Niac bearing brunt of criticism over boosters?" (November 9th) highlights why the fight against Covid-19 appears to be so challenging.
The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (Niac) is not responsible for implementing the vaccination programme, including the administration of boosters. That responsibility rests firmly with the Government and its agency, the HSE. Niac only advises on safety and priorities.
Niac has been consistent in its advice that it is age that is the primary risk factor with Covid-19 and that vaccination priorities should take this into account. Three weeks ago Niac advised that the 70-79 age group, which includes myself and my wife, should be given a booster given that six months has elapsed since we were vaccinated. Immediately following that recommendation, politicians, unions and health administrators launched a frenzied campaign for boosters to be given to healthcare workers, irrespective of age or whether they were in patient-facing roles or not.
The result is that the HSE is energetically organising a booster campaign for healthcare workers while 70-79 year-olds are forgotten.
If only the Government and the HSE listened to Niac, rather than complain about Niac’s failure to rubber-stamp political/ administrative ideas, the fight against Covid-19 might be more successful. – Le meas,
JOHN HEARN,
Malahide,
Co Dublin.