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Vaccination Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 October 2020

Wednesday, 21 October 2020

Questions (253)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

253. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay with the distribution of the flu vaccine (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31998/20]

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Written answers

The Government is expanding the provision of vaccination without charge to all of those in the at-risk groups, including healthcare workers, and to all children aged from 2 to 12 years.  Vaccines will be administered via GPs and pharmacists, as in previous years.

The HSE has placed orders for 1.35 million doses of the Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (QIV) for the forthcoming winter.  Following a delay in the delivery of the first batch of vaccines, the first deliveries of the QIV influenza vaccines to all sites (GPs, pharmacists, nursing homes etc.) started on 17th September.

By the end of the second cycle of deliveries, in the week ending 9 October, approximately 800,000 doses of influenza vaccine were delivered to over 3,000 sites across the country. This represents an increase of 25% in quantities of vaccine delivered when compared with 2019. To date all sites have received 75% of the quantity used last season, and the allowance for the third delivery which began from 15th October will increase this to 90%. Further stocks will be available for the fourth round of deliveries.

It had been intended to commence and complete deliveries earlier, but delays on the part of the manufacturer resulted in a longer than intended delivery schedule. However, the HSE is satisfied that sufficient vaccine has been ordered to vaccinate all those in the HSE defined at-risk groups and all shipments will have arrived into Ireland before the end of October. The current distribution process to GP, pharmacists, hospitals and nursing homes will ensure an equitable distribution of the vaccine to all target groups for vaccination around the country. 

Deliveries of the children’s flu vaccine started on the 28th of September, and all of the total order of 600,000 doses is expected by mid-October, as planned.

Those not covered by the publicly funded influenza vaccination programme can avail of influenza vaccination from GPs and pharmacists on a private basis. 

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