Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 December 2020
684. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the counties that have the greatest shortage of access to the flu vaccine; the way in which he will ensure that all vulnerable persons receive their vaccinations before the end of 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39861/20]
View answerThis 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 administration to all persons in an at-risk group, as well as 600,000 doses of the Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV) for all children aged from 2 to 12 years old inclusive.
1.3 million of the 1.35 million doses of flu vaccine available this winter have been distributed to GPs, pharmacists and other vaccination sites. In addition, over 450,000 doses of the LAIV for administration to children aged from 2 to 12 have been distributed. As of 24nd November, over 1 million claims for reimbursement from GPs and pharmacists for the administration of influenza vaccines have been received by PCERS, including over 133,000 claims for the administration of nasal LAIV to children aged 2 -12.
While information on shortages of the vaccine on a county basis is not available, I am aware that demand for vaccination remains strong at this point and may exceed available QIV supply. It is likely that the full amount procured, 1.35 million doses, will be administered. Given the demand on the international market for influenza vaccine, it is not likely to be possible to procure additional supply.
Each year a certain amount of vaccine is “held back” to ensure those in at-risk groups receive vaccines. With the unprecedented demand this year it is important that the HSE manage the distribution of the remaining doses in order to target administration to the at-risk groups who need it the most. The delivery of the final 50,000 QIV doses to sites across the country commenced Monday 23rd November.
The significant increase in uptake among those in the at-risk groups, combined with the addition of vaccination for children aged from 2 to 12, will help reduce the impact of influenza on the community and the health system.
