Johnny Mythen
Question:345. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health if he will immediately review the HSE distribution chain for the winter flu vaccine (details supplied) [36030/20]
View answerThursday, 12 November 2020
Questions (345)
Written answers
The 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, approximately 2 million doses of influenza vaccine have been purchased, including 1.35 million doses of QIV vaccine for adults, and 600,000 of nasal LAIV for children aged 2-12 years. The amount procured for this year is almost double the amount administered last season in Ireland. Deliveries of this vaccine from the manufacturer have not been as quick as we would have liked, due to the very challenging international market for flu vaccines.
The fourth round of vaccine distribution to GPs and pharmacists which was completed on 11 November will bring to 1.3 million the total number of injected doses distributed. The remaining doses of vaccine will be distributed to GPs and pharmacists in the coming weeks. Given the difficult international market for flu vaccines this year, it is unlikely that any further increase in supply will be possible.
Retail Pharmacists have been administrating influenza vaccine as part on the National programme since influenza season 2012/2013. However, this is the first season that the nasal (LAIV) influenza vaccine programme for children aged 2-12 years is available.
The number of doses available for pharmacists was based on their usage of adult flu vaccine as an indication for their first delivery of LAIV. Pharmacists were automatically allowed to order the same amount for subsequent deliveries every fortnight, but were allowed to request an increase in the amount for every subsequent delivery if they had demand for the vaccine. To date 75% of 600,000 doses purchased by HSE have been delivered to sites.
Demand for the flu vaccine this year is unprecedented. 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. Distribution of the remaining doses will be controlled by the HSE to target administration to those at-risk groups where it is most needed.