Vol. 557 No. 5
187 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of doses of influenza vaccine which were made available in 2002 by his Department; the number availed of to date; the number of people over 65 years by health board areas who availed of the vaccine; the number of people over 95 years who have availed of the vaccine; and the steps he feels are necessary to increase the take up of the vaccine among older people and others in the at risk category. [22983/02]
The influenza vaccine is available free of charge from general practitioners to medical card holders at risk of contracting the disease; the "at risk" group includes those aged 65 or older as well as those with specific chronic illness, such as chronic heart, lung or kidney disease and those with a suppressed immune system. Individuals who are in an at risk category who do not have a medical card are entitled to the vaccine free of charge. However, the fee for administering the vaccine in such cases is a matter between the general practitioner and the patient. I take this opportunity to encourage those in the at risk group who have not yet availed of the vaccine to do so without further delay.
In excess of 500,000 doses of the influenza vaccine have been made available this winter. The current influenza campaign commenced on 23 September 2002 and will run until early 2003. As the campaign is still ongoing, health boards have not yet compiled definitive figures as to how many people have availed of the vaccine. In order to ensure maximum uptake, particularly in the at risk group, a national influenza advertising campaign was co-ordinated by the health boards executive on behalf of all health boards. The campaign took the form of advertisements on local and national radio as well as notices in local and national papers. In addition, it is at the discretion of individual health boards to organise other local and regional initiatives in order to further promote uptake.
Influenza is a highly infectious viral disease that can affect large numbers of people. Complications are common and hospitalisation rates are high in both the elderly and those with underlying disease. The vaccine provides up to 90% protection against the disease and is highly effective against the complications of influenza. Its impact in reducing mortality from influenza in older people is well documented. However, as its protection lasts about one year, it is important that people at risk of contracting influenza are vaccinated every year against the most recent strains.
