Dr. Lorraine Doherty:

I will start with a general comment and then hand over to my colleague, Dr. Sisson. The issue of flu immunisation among healthcare workers is a worldwide challenge. We know that, for some reason, there have been healthcare workers who have been reluctant in the past to avail of the free flu vaccine. I should make clear that enough vaccine has been procured and is available to immunise all our healthcare workers. All healthcare workers receive the offer of influenza vaccine and it is offered in the workplace to facilitate their access. It is an important part of our overall strategy for prevention of infection this winter to make sure that healthcare workers avail of the free flu vaccine. I will pass over to my colleague, Dr. Lynda Sisson, who will update the committee on some of the more specific measures we will take.