Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 March 2018
611. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied with the differing public health standards here in contrast to Northern Ireland, in which a procurement model will purchase quadrivalent winter influenza vaccinations for persons under 65 years of age including persons at risk, pregnant women and healthcare workers for the 2018 to 2019 flu season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12585/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra612. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the reason his Department is unwilling to adopt a new procurement approach to ensure that persons here are optimally protected from the most potent influenza viruses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12586/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra613. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the reason his Department will not procure a quadrivalent vaccination for the forthcoming winter influenza season in view of evidence that over 50% of hospitalisations from influenza arose from the B strain Yamagata, which will not be included in the trivalent vaccination procured for the 2018 to 2019 influenza season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12587/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra614. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his views on the WHO published recommended composition of influenza virus vaccines for use in the 2018 to 2019 northern hemisphere influenza season, which recommends the strains both quadrivalent and trivalent influenza vaccines should contain; if he will instruct the HSE to follow this guidance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12588/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra615. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his views on the surge in hospitalisations and deaths from influenza this season; his plans to make a provision to prevent the same occurrence during the 2018 to 2019 flu season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12589/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 611 to 615, inclusive, together.
The HSE developed a significantly augmented Flu Plan for 2017-18 with the primary focus on increasing vaccination rates among healthcare workers and at risk groups. Vaccination is regarded as one of the safest and most cost-effective of all health care interventions. The HSE launched their influenza immunisation campaign for winter 2017-18 on 2 October 2017.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) organises consultations twice annually with an advisory group of experts to analyse influenza virus surveillance data generated by the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System, and issues recommendations on the composition of the influenza vaccines for the following influenza season. These recommendations are used by the national vaccine regulatory agencies and the pharmaceutical companies to develop, produce and license influenza vaccines.
The influenza vaccine purchased by HSE is based on WHO advice on the composition of influenza virus vaccines for use in the 2017/8 northern hemisphere influenza season, issued on 2 March 2017. It is recommended that trivalent vaccines for use in the 2017-2018 northern hemisphere influenza season contain the following:
- an A/Michigan/45/2015 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus,
- an A/Hong Kong/4801/2014 (H3N2)-like virus; and
- a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus.
This season (2017/18) the HSE procured the trivalent inactivated Influenza vaccine (Split Virion) BP seasonal influenza vaccine for all those in the recommended at risk groups, health care workers, and carers. The trivalent vaccine used in Ireland is the most widely used influenza vaccine in Europe.
The 2017/2018 influenza season is unusual because of the high levels of Influenza B strains in circulation. The trivalent vaccine used in Ireland is the most widely used influenza vaccine in Europe but has limited protection for the Influenza B strains.
The WHO issued its recommendation for the composition of influenza vaccines for the 2018-2019 northern hemisphere influenza season on 22 February 2018. It is recommended that quadrivalent vaccines contain the following:
- an A/Michigan/45/2015 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
- an A/Singapore/INFIMH-16-0019/2016 (H3N2)-like virus;
- a B/Colorado/06/2017-like virus (B/Victoria/2/87 lineage); and
- a B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus (B/Yamagata/16/88 lineage).
It also recommended that the influenza B virus component of trivalent vaccines for use in the 2018-2019 northern hemisphere influenza season be a B/Colorado/06/2017-like virus of the B/Victoria/2/87-lineage.
The HSE National Immunisation Office and HSE Procurement are responsible for the purchase of influenza vaccine. To ensure vaccine supply, this tender process must be completed 9 months in advance of the first delivery into Ireland at the end of August. The HSE has already completed and awarded the tender for seasonal influenza vaccine for 2018/19 at a cost of €3.2- 4 million (depending on whether contingency doses are procured).
The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC), an independent committee which makes recommendations on vaccination policy in Ireland. NIAC is considering the need to expand the current recommendations for influenza vaccine, including the potential community wide benefit of extending recommendations to include all children. The 2018-19 seasonal influenza programme will be in accordance with NIAC recommendations.
While there was a focus was on influenza immunisation, additional measures put in place this year included:
- A national flu planning steering group which meets weekly is in place.
- There is a flu lead in each Public Health Department, who liaises with Community Health Organisation (CHO)and Hospital Group (HG) flu planning groups.
- Digital advertising and promotions target at risk groups, the over 65s, pregnant women and healthcare workers.
- The Director General has asked each HG and associated CHO to produce a Winter Plan which includes a specific section on Flu.
- The Flu Medication Protocol has been revised.
The HSE also put in place additional measures to ensure that it was in a position to identify and react to any significant increase in health service demand. These included:
- The National Flu Planning Group meets every Friday.
- The Special Delivery Unit continues to liaise daily with HGs.
- HSE has preparations in place to activate additional measures.
- This was activated and fed into the Winter Initiative Planning and include cascading of information to HGs, CHOs and GPs concerning the use of anti-virals, respiratory hygiene, rescheduling of elective surgery and the activation of discharge plans.
The HSE will build on the most effective of this year’s measures in preparation for the 2018-2019 influenza season.
