Vol. 542 No. 5
311 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that children in receipt of domiciliary care allowance are being required to pay for the flu injection; and if he will make an order overturning this practice. [25072/01]
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.
In determining eligibility for domiciliary care allowance, only the means of the child are taken into account. The means of the parents are not considered. Children in receipt of domiciliary care allowance are entitled to apply for a medical card in their own right.
