Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 November 2020
205. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the quantity of the LAIV flu vaccine for winter 2020-21 distributed to date; the current uptake of the vaccine by county; when general practitioners commenced giving the winter flu vaccine to patients; the length of time the vaccine will be made available for free; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35477/20]
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.
Following an initial delay in delivery from the manufacturer of QIV, the vaccine for those in at-risk groups, the first round of distribution to all sites (GPs, pharmacies, nursing homes etc.) started on 17 September. 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 new nasal (LAIV) influenza vaccine programme for children is well underway across the country, with all sites having received their first delivery by 09 October. 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 been received and as of 06 November 420,000 doses of LAIV have been distributed, with the remainder being distributed to GPs and pharmacists as required. A breakdown of vaccination uptake by county is not currently available.
It is not possible at this time to provide information on the composition of the influenza vaccination programme for future winter seasons.
