Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank both Deputies for raising this issue. I, too, am aware of it. I am certainly glad that they have raised the matter because it gives the Government an opportunity to set out what has been done in what has been a massive operation to administer the flu vaccine this year. In fact, what has been done is completely unprecedented.

Of the 1.35 million doses of the flu vaccine available this winter, 1.3 million have already been distributed to GPs, pharmacists and other vaccination sites since early October. The Minister apologises for not being here, but he has informed me - to answer Deputy Ó Murchú's point - that all of those deliveries were properly recorded. In addition, 420,000 doses of the live attenuated influenza vaccine for administration to children between two and 12 years were also distributed. As we are now nearing the end of the supply, the HSE wrote this week to GPs and pharmacists to indicate that the final 50,000 doses would be held back until greater clarity could be achieved on how the doses already distributed have been used.

GPs and pharmacists, as the Deputies have acknowledged, have been incredibly busy this year and have done tremendous work. I thank them for increasing the number of vaccines administered in very difficult circumstances. Already, GPs and pharmacists have submitted almost 80% more claims than in the same period last year, including 35% more in respect of those over 65. That is very positive. Nonetheless, given the particular circumstances prevailing, it is important that the HSE has as clear a picture as possible before allocating the final 50,000 doses available for use in order to ensure that they can be targeted where they will have the biggest impact in line with the priorities as set out by the WHO for this year's vaccination campaign. That picture depends on claims from GPs and pharmacists but also on information from hospitals, nursing homes and other relevant locations. The distribution of the final 50,000 doses will start at the end of this month.

This year's flu vaccination campaign will see significantly more people receive the vaccine in Ireland than ever before. Assuming that the current trends carry through, at least 350,000 more individuals in at-risk groups will receive the vaccine this winter than last. In addition, over 100,000 children have already received the vaccine that has been provided without charge for the first time. This will increase significantly in the coming weeks.

Deliveries of the vaccine from the manufacturer were not as quick as we would have liked due to the challenging international market and the unprecedented times in which we are living. It is also true that the demand is there. People are answering the call to get vaccinated. The level of demand is unprecedented. This is the case everywhere, in Europe and beyond. In that context, it is unlikely, the HSE and the Minister believe, that additional supply will become available. This reinforces the message that in view of the finite supply of the vaccine, it is important that even the increased quantities which we have this year are targeted where they will have the greatest impact, benefiting the individuals concerned and helping to reduce the pressure on the health system.

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