Seán Haughey
Question:189 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Health and Children if medical card holders should be expected to pay the £25 for the flu injection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19483/99]
Written Answers. - Flu Vaccine.
Pat Carey
Question:190 Mr. P. Carey asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the decision by the Irish Medical Organisation to direct doctors to charge a £25 levy on medical card holders who wish to receive the flu vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19484/99]
Breeda Moynihan-Cronin
Question:215 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress, if any, which has been made with the Irish Medical Organisation with regard to the provision of injections to the elderly with medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19767/99]
Jack Wall
Question:225 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the charge, if any, by general practitioners to medical card holders for administering the flu vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19848/99]
Willie Penrose
Question:235 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children if the flu vaccine will be made available immediately, particularly to the elderly; if all outstanding matters in relation to the dispensation of this have been resolved with the medical profession; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19929/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 189, 190, 215, 225 and 235 together.
Discussions have been held between the Health Service Employers Agency and the Irish Medical Organisation in relation to this issue. At a meeting on 7 October the Health Service Employers Agency, recognising that there are issues between the parties regarding administration of the influenza vaccine, and in order to resolve this dispute without delay, proposed that the issues be referred to an independent third party for adjudication. This offer was declined by the Irish Medical Organisation.
I welcome the statement by the IMO that, notwithstanding the dispute regarding administration of the influenza vaccine, its members will provide the vaccine to the at-risk groups in the GMS. I understand doctors will not be seeking payment from medical card holders for the provision of the vaccine.