Charlie O'Connor
Question:236 Mr. O'Connor asked the Minister for Health and Children the advice he is issuing in respect of the importance of the influenza vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21738/03]
Written Answers. - Vaccination Programme.
As the Deputy may be aware, I launched the influenza vaccination campaign 2003-04 on 24 September 2003.
Many respiratory diseases occur every winter but influenza is one of the most severe. The World Health Organisation states that influenza typically infects 10% to 20% of the total population during seasonal epidemics, resulting in between three and five million cases of severe illness and at least 250,000 to 500,000 deaths each year worldwide.
While those who are in good health usually recover from influenza in two to seven days, there are others for whom the disease is much more severe. In those with underlying diseases, especially the elderly, complications are common and hospitalisation rates are high. Considerable resources are devoted each year to treating patients in hospital who contract influenza and subsequently develop complications. The elderly contribute between 80 to 90% of reported deaths from influenza annually.
The World Health Organisation recently called for the vaccination of people at high risk of contracting influenza as a matter of urgency. The WHO recommendations are especially aimed at reducing the number of cases in the high risk groups where influenza often leads to severe pneumonia and other serious illness due to pre-existing chronic diseases. In addition, reducing pneumonia cases may also lower the possibility of misdiagnosing influenza as SARS.
The WHO acknowledges that while the human chain of SARS transmission has been interrupted, many experts are concerned that SARS might be a seasonal disease and return in the next few months. The influenza vaccine does not prevent other respiratory diseases and, importantly, it does not provide protection from SARS. However, high vaccination coverage may reduce the number of pneumonia cases caused by influenza that might incorrectly raise suspicions of SARS. Suspected SARS cases can result in considerable disruption of health services as well as costly precautionary measures and investigations. Also, decreasing the number of pneumonia cases through influenza vaccinations can help in the early identification of a true SARS outbreak, should the disease recur. Early detection is essential to keep the disease contained.
The advice of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland is that the ideal time for vaccination is September-October but the vaccine can be administered at any stage throughout the winter months. The influenza vaccine is available free of charge from general practitioners to medical card holders who are deemed to be 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, and those with a suppressed immune system. For persons in the at risk groups, complications arising from influenza such as pneumonia are common and can be fatal particularly in the elderly.
The immunisation advisory committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland advises that influenza vaccine should be considered for all health care workers who have direct patient contact in both the community and health care institutions such as hospitals and nursing homes. I have asked that the health boards encourage health care workers, particularly those on the front-line, to be immunised annually against influenza. My Department has written to the health board chief executive officers requesting that they encourage their staff to be immunised as soon as possible.
The influenza vaccination programme has been greatly enhanced in recent years. There will be in excess of half a million doses of influenza vaccine available under the 2003-04 programme. I would also like to take this opportunity to urge those in the at risk groups who have not previously been vaccinated against pneumococcal disease to avail of this vaccine in addition to the influenza vaccine. This vaccine is also available free of charge from general practitioners to medical card holders who are at risk of contracting the disease. The at risk groups are similar to those at risk of contracting influenza. A significant difference between the influenza and pneumococcal vaccines is that while the influenza vaccine must be repeated annually, this is not necessary for pneumococcal vaccine because it provides longer term immunity.
The key advice I am issuing is that all health care workers and individuals in the at risk group should ensure that they are immunised against influenza as soon as possible. The vaccines have already been distributed to health boards and GP practices throughout the country. I also urge general practitioners to ensure that the at risk patients in their practice are contacted and invited to attend for vaccination as soon as possible.