Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 November 2020
659. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health if there is a national shortage of the flu vaccination for adults in general practitioner practices; if there is an issue on reordering the vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34563/20]
View answerThe Government has expanded the provision of seasonal influenza vaccination without charge to all of those in the HSE-defined at-risk groups and to all children aged from 2 to 12 years. Vaccines are being administered via GPs and pharmacists, as in previous years.
This season, 1.95 million doses of influenza vaccine have been purchased, which is double the amount administered last season. The HSE has procured 1.35 million doses of the Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (QIV) for the forthcoming winter. This vaccine is being made available to all persons in an at-risk group and aged from 6 months up. In addition, the HSE has purchased 600,000 doses of the Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV), which is delivered via nasal drops rather than by injection and is being made available to all children aged from 2 to 12 years old inclusive.
This expanded programme will ensure that those most vulnerable to the effects of influenza will have access without charges. This is in line with the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee and represents a significant step forward in providing vaccination without charges.
International markets for influenza vaccine are extremely tight this year, and in Ireland this resulted in deliveries from the manufacturer taking longer than intended. However, the full quantity of vaccine ordered has now been received. By 11 November, when the fourth round of deliveries will be completed, 1.3 million doses of the injected vaccine have been distributed to GPs, pharmacists, and healthcare settings. The quantities distributed to individual GPs and pharmacists has been based on the orders from the same sources last year, in order to ensure an equitable distribution.
Given the difficult international market for flu vaccines this year, it is unlikely that any further increase in supply will be possible. Demand for vaccination this year is unprecedented. This is the case across Europe and beyond. Given the finite supply available, it is important that even the increased quantities available in Ireland are targeted where they will have the greatest impact.
The new nasal (LAIV) influenza vaccine programme for children is well underway across the country. A high uptake of the vaccine in children has been shown to reduce the spread of influenza in the community. The full quantity of LAIV ordered has also now been received and is being distributed to GPs and pharmacists.
