asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the major 'flu epidemic now sweeping Britain and the preliminary evidence that the outbreak has now reached this country and the serious implications for health of such an epidemic, he will indicate what steps are being taken to control the outbreak; if it is intended to initiate a national vaccination programme; if he is aware of the decision of the Eastern Health Board to allow doctors to charge £5 service fee for administering the vaccine to patients, including those with medical cards; and if, in view of the fact that this is likely to act as a deterrent to many of those at risk, he will intervene and ensure that the vaccine is administered free of charge to those most at risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter?
Private Notice Questions. - Influenza Epidemic.
asked the Minister for Health the measures he proposes to take to cope with the expected `flu epidemic, having regard to the fact that there are only approximately 2,000 vaccine shots available in the Eastern Health Board area; and if he will make a statement on the matter?
I am aware that the 'flu epidemic has hit this country. There is a vaccination programme in place each year which is available free to those at risk, particularly the elderly. The same has been the situation in the current year. In the Eastern Health Board area, 13,000 people have been vaccinated.
I am unaware of any decision of the Eastern Health Board to allow doctors to charge a fee of £5 for the vaccination and I would be interested in getting the details from Deputy Rabbitte. There is no decision to have a mass vaccination programme at this stage. There is a time lag between the vaccination and the antibodies developing which takes approximately a month. One would doubt the value of a mass vaccination programme at this stage.
I take it from the Minister's reply that he is not aware that the Chief Medical Officer for the Eastern Health Board confirmed to queries on behalf of medical card holders that doctors had a discretion to charge a £5 administration fee. Further, let me ask the Minister if it is not precisely because there is a time lag that there ought to be now a mass vaccination programme for those at risk, the old, people suffering from asthma or other respiratory problems. Is the Minister aware of the Eastern Health Board's statement today that they have already run out of vaccine? Can he assure this House that his Department are in a position to secure adequate supplies of vaccine especially for our citizens potentially at risk?
I am aware that the Eastern Health Board had vaccine for 2,000 patients and they expect that will be utilised within the next few days. Arrangements have been made to procure further supplies of vaccine so that they will be available to those most at risk. I bring up the question of the £5 fee because I believe the Eastern Health Board would not charge a £5 fee to medical card holders. I will certainly bring that point up with them.
Arising out of the Minister's indication that there is such a problem with supplies of vaccine, does he intend to target the available vaccine at least initially at the high risk groups who, as the other Deputy mentioned, are the elderly? I gather children under 14 are particularly vulnerable, there have been two deaths in Britain associated with this already.
The vaccine is made available through the health boards each year and is targeted at those at risk, particularly the elderly and the elderly who suffer from chronic chest illness, diabetes and kidney disease. That will continue to be the position when new supplies of vaccine arrive.
Order, I want to come to the Order of Business.
Just one question——
No. Order of Business.