To ask the Minister of Health what steps will be taken to ensure that those involved in the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination programme are aware (i) of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation advice regarding the administration of vaccinations to people with severe mental illness; and (ii) that severe mental illness is not limited to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

The NI Vaccination Programme has involved teams of medical professionals collaboratively working across the Health and Social Care system in conjunction with their wider stakeholders and partners.

In addition to extant HSC staff and primary care staff, vaccinators have been trained from a range of professional backgrounds and registered health care professionals to become sessional vaccinators, including Pharmacists, Nurses, Dentists and Allied Health Professionals.

Specific training for Covid-19 vaccination has been provided for all those involved in the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination programme and updated advice is published on all the HSC webpages, e.g.:-

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/961287/Greenbook_chapter_14a_v7_12Feb2021.pdf

The member will be aware that one of the main risk groups identified by the JCVI is those with severe mental illness, and this includes any mental illness that causes severe functional impairment. The model for vaccine deployment has been designed to be pragmatic, agile and flexible, and takes into consideration the clinical needs of each clinically vulnerable individual patient.