Bernard Allen
Question:103 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the cost of the advertising of the flu vaccine campaign in 2000 and to date in 2001. [27400/01]
Written Answers. - Vaccination Programme.
Bernard Allen
Question:104 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the flu vaccine is advertised each morning on prime time radio; the reason the vaccine is in short supply so early in the vaccination programme; and the reason the occupational health department at Beaumont Hospital has had to cancel several scheduled clinics for staff. [27401/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 103 and 104 together.
The cost of the advertising of the influenza vaccine in 2000 and to date in 2001 is as follows.
|
Year |
National and Local Press |
National and Local Radio |
Total |
|
£ |
£ |
£ |
|
|
2000 |
104,303.19 |
195,811.03 |
300,114.22 |
|
2001 (to date) |
110,741.08 |
223,558.64 |
334,299.72 |
The radio schedule was selected to ensure that the priority groups as identified, that is, all persons over 65 years and younger people who have chronic lung, heart or kidney disease, diabetes or a suppressed immune system, were targeted. This included advertising throughout the day on national and local radio including morning prime time. The radio campaign ran from 27 September to 12 October 2001.
In excess of 500,000 doses of vaccine are available in the current year compared to 400,000 doses last year. To date this year more than 450,000 doses of the vaccine have been distributed. The vaccine is not in short supply and additional stocks of influenza vaccine are available. The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland advise that the ideal time for vaccination is the September-October period.
Beaumont Hospital has indicated that it contracts directly for its own supplies of influenza vaccine. The hospital has indicated that its original supplier of the vaccine was unable to meet its demands and that it had to source an alternative supplier. This caused a minor interruption to the scheduled vaccination sessions. The hospital has further indicated that its new supplier has adequately met its demands.