Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

Information provided by the Health Service Executive indicates that the total cost to the State of introducing free influenza vaccinations for the entire population would be more than €160 million a year, based on certain assumptions about the cost of the vaccine and GP fees.

However, vaccination for the entire population against seasonal influenza is not currently recommended and there would be serious questions about the cost effectiveness of such an approach.

Currently, the seasonal influenza vaccine is available free of charge from general practitioners to medical card holders and holders of GP visit cards who are deemed to be at risk of serious illness as a result of contracting the disease. While persons in the at-risk group who do not have a medical card or a GP visit card can obtain the vaccine free of charge, the fee for administering the vaccine in such cases is a matter between the general practitioner and the patient. The at-risk groups include persons aged 65 years or older, those with specific chronic illness such as chronic heart, lung or kidney disease, and those with a suppressed immune system.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

The question of extending the immunisation categories is kept under review by the national immunisation advisory committee.

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