Question NW1931 to the Minister of Health

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08 September 2021 - NW1931

Profile picture: Chirwa, Ms NN

Chirwa, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health

What (a) are the reasons that racially inclusive demographics are not included in the (i) collection and (ii) sharing of COVID-19 related information and (b) effect does the lack of racial demographics have in relation to the response of the State in vaccine distribution across the Republic, but more importantly in Black communities?

Reply:

(a) and (b) When samples are taken from individuals the laboratory must complete the biographic data name, surname, ID, date of birth, address etc. This information is then captured into an electronic data system which is then used to analyse and publish statistics. Unfortunately biographic data is often not fully completed by the patient and health care workers consequently we do not have a full data set of biographic data in all cases. In the case of race specifically this data is often not reported at source. Consequently we have not been reporting COVID infections and vaccinations by race, since there is also no evidence that race is a significant risk factor.

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