Vol. 542 No. 5
296 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the flu vaccination is not available free of charge to holders of a medical card; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a fee is payable in the South Eastern Health Board area for this vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25022/01]
Influenza vaccine is available free of charge from general practitioners to medical card holders at risk of contracting the disease. The at risk groups include persons aged 65 years or older, those with specific chronic illness such as chronic heart, lung or kidney disease as well as those with a suppressed immune system.
In circumstances where a patient is in the at risk groups, but not a medical card holder, there is no charge for the actual vaccine as this is provided free of charge to general practitioners from health board supplies. However, the fee for administering the vaccine in such cases is a matter between the general practitioner and the patient.
The South Eastern Health Board has confirmed that the flu vaccine is available free of charge to medical card holders in the at risk group in its area. It has also indicated that if the Deputy can provide details of cases where a medical card holder has been charged for the influenza vaccine, they will investigate the matter.
