Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

My question relates to the availability of the flu vaccine and the adequacy of the supplies we have now secured for this coming season. It is extraordinary to think that last year more than 4,300 people were hospitalised with seasonal flu.

That is more than the total number of people who have been hospitalised with Covid to date.

While Ireland works to prevent a second wave of Covid, it is so important that we also put huge effort into ensuring that we reduce the impact of the flu in order to protect capacity in our health service. As the Tánaiste knows, capacity within our hospitals in terms of beds and staff is completely inadequate for normal times. In addition to this, we are faced with a situation whereby, as a result of the requirements relating to infection control and social distancing, it is estimated that between 25% and 50% of capacity within the public health service will be reduced. Furthermore, it is recommended that 20% of capacity be reserved for a second wave of Covid, which is quite likely at this point. That amounts to 60% of what is inadequate capacity being taken out of the system and leaving a mere 40% available. For that reason, it is absolutely essential that huge emphasis is put on reducing the number of flu cases in the coming season. We need to take a lot of steps to encourage wider uptake. I recognise that the Department of Health has announced an expansion of the free scheme for people at risk who are below the age of 69 and for children between two and 12 years of age. As was the case last year, those over 70 are also entitled to the flu vaccine. We must also take steps to improve the level of uptake, particularly among at-risk groups but also among healthcare workers.

For all of these reasons it is essential that we have sufficient supplies of the flu vaccine. Can the Tánaiste confirm the quantity of vaccine that is available for this season and the number of doses this equates to? What is the estimated increase in demand expected to arise from various factors, such as a heightened awareness of the need for vaccination and a greater sense of the importance of protecting one's own health and the need to avoid unnecessary hospitalisation? Last year, 1.1 million flu vaccines were delivered in Ireland. Can the Tánaiste provide an assurance that there are sufficient quantities of the vaccine available to cope with demand this year?

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