Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)

I am not aware of any significant adverse effects. Those who are between 66 and 70 years' old and who are above the medical card threshold find that it is the luck of the draw as to whether their doctor charges them. Some are deterred from getting the flu vaccine because their doctors sometimes charge them the full amount. Surely the Minister accepts that it would actually be cost-effective to ensure that the group in question can have the flu vaccine free? I mean both the vaccine and the doctor's visit. Does she not appreciate that in terms of protecting accident and emergency units from overuse, it would be helpful to permit those who are 66 years old and older people to avail of the flu vaccine without being obliged to incur any cost?

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