Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)

In Australia, there are high numbers of people affected by flu. Likewise, the UK is expecting the same thing to happen. Here in Ireland, the take-up of the vaccine is very low. For instance, take-up of the vaccine stands at 17.5% of healthcare workers, 53.7% of fair deal residents, 42.6% of adults 60 and above, and 11% of those aged between two and 17. As we face into the winter months, there is always a new strain of flu. Taking the flu vaccine is important. When it comes to the Covid vaccine among healthcare workers, for instance, there is only a 5% take-up. What are the Tánaiste's Department and the Department of Health going to do to raise the importance of taking the flu and Covid vaccine in order to avoid adverse outcomes? Now is the time. I know we have had good weather in the past number of weeks, but we need to get the message out there. We need to get a greater take-up.

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