Vol. 525 No. 2
140 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps being taken to deal with problems being experienced by some general practitioners in securing adequate supplies of the 'flu vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24537/00]
166 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason shortages of 'flu and meningitis vaccines existed; and if these shortages have now been eliminated. [24471/00]
441 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health and Children if difficulties have been experienced by general practitioners in obtaining 'flu vaccine stocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24016/00]
482 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the reasons there have been difficulties in getting supplies of the 'flu vaccine to general practitioners in some parts of the country. [24118/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 140, 166, 441 and 482 together.
Annual immunisation against influenza is recommended for persons over 65 years of age and for other persons with certain conditions, such as chronic respiratory or heart disease. Advice was received this year from the national immunisation committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland that health care workers who have direct patient contact in health care institutions such as hospitals, nursing homes etc., should also receive the influenza vaccine. In the light of these recommendations my Department asked the health boards to promote the annual immunisation against influenza of health care workers in health board and non-health board settings, that is, hospitals, nursing homes and, where considered appropriate, in the community.
A stock of influenza vaccine is purchased each year by the health boards for use in immunising persons in the designated at-risk groups. This year, in order to ensure that vaccine was available to meet anticipated demand, the quantity of influenza vaccine ordered was increased by one third over that purchased in 1999 to 435,000 doses when contingency stocks are taken into account. Delivery of the majority of this stock took place in September 2000 and arrangements were made by health boards to distribute this to doctors.
There has been a very good response to this year's immunisation campaign. This success has meant that the rate of usage of influenza vaccine has been significantly higher than in previous years. In some areas of the country there was an interval between the initial stock of vaccine being used and delivery of the second batch.
