Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 May 2017
868. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 609 to 611, inclusive, of 11 April 2017, the reason he has stated that there was more vaccine produced by a company (details supplied) purchased than that of another company; and the reason 90% of the swine flu vaccinations were of the Pandemrix vaccine as distinct from Celvapan. [19460/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra869. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 610 of 11 April 2017, the number of doses of Pandemrix that were purchased; the number that were used; and the status of the unused vaccines. [19461/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra870. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 609 of 11 April 2017, the amount of money spent on the Pandemrix vaccine. [19462/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra872. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the cost of the swine flu vaccination programme; and the cost of the vaccines purchased, the public mass vaccination campaign, the setting up of emergency clinics around the country, the extra staff costs in hiring part-time staff and for overtime, the media campaign and other associated costs. [19464/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra873. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 610 of 11 April 2017, if it is correct that the HSE had contracts in place for items (details supplied). [19465/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 868 to 870, inclusive, and 872 and 873 together.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) was guided on all aspects of the pandemic influenza vaccination campaign by the Pandemic Expert Influenza Group and the National Immunisation Advisory Committee. I have been informed by the HSE that they had contracts in place for the provision of pandemic vaccine, with Baxter for 4.25 million doses of Celvapan vaccine, and with GSK for 3.45 million doses of Pandemrix vaccine. However, Baxter had severe production difficulties and was unable to supply the amounts of vaccines as per the contract. Approximately 3 million doses of Pandemic vaccine were delivered to Ireland - 600,000 Baxter (Celvapan) and 2.4 million GSK (Pandemrix).
Of the 2.4 million Pandemrix influenza vaccines purchased, 90% were distributed. The shelf life for pandemic vaccines was 24 months. In 2011, all unused and expired vaccines were returned to the vaccine manufacturers for destruction.
The original budget for pandemic vaccine was €80 million and the actual spend was €30 million. The reduction was achieved by the purchase of less vaccines and negotiations with the vaccine manufacturers. The HSE is unable to provide the cost of each pandemic vaccine as this is commercially sensitive information.
I have been informed by the HSE that their National Immunisation Office does not have information on the other costs.
