Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The orders for the flu vaccination are made at the start of the year. I believe the orders for this winter were made in January or February. The HSE took a new approach. It identified the at-risk groups, and it was calculated that totalled 1.35 million people. Children aged from two to 12 years were added to that and the 600,000 doses were procured. I believe, and the figures confirm, that there is very high demand, which is positive. It appears that almost all 1.95 million doses will be administered. As to whether there will be enough vaccine for those in the at-risk groups, the demand for the vaccine remains strong and the vaccine is being distributed. As a consequence, however, for the next round of distribution, which is the 400,000, GPs and pharmacists are being asked that priority be given among the remaining patients in the at-risk group to those over 65 years old and healthcare workers with direct patient contact.

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