Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will ask the chief clinical officer, Dr. Henry, to address the vaccine and how it differs from that offered previously. We will launch the HSE influenza campaign next Thursday and will encourage healthcare professionals and those in at-risk groups to avail of the vaccination. I am encouraged by the significant and welcome increase in the number of people over the age of 65 who got the flu vaccine last year. I welcome the incredible work of staff in our hospitals and community health organisations who are encouraging peer vaccination. However, in spite of the significant increase, not enough healthcare professionals avail of the vaccination. I would welcome cross-party support on this issue and would support all of us speaking with one voice. We will run several advertisement campaigns and have a large public launch to address the importance of the flu vaccine. I encourage healthcare professionals to get the vaccine. It will protect them and those with whom they come in contact. There has been progress in this regard in recent years, but we need to see more. Dr. Henry will address the question on the new vaccine.