Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 9: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the cost to the State of introducing a free flu vaccine; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8608/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Information provided by the Health Service Executive indicates that the total cost to the State of introducing free influenza vaccinations for the entire population would be more than €160 million a year, based on certain assumptions about the cost of the vaccine and GP fees.

However, vaccination for the entire population against seasonal influenza is not currently recommended and there would be serious questions about the cost effectiveness of such an approach.

Currently, the seasonal influenza vaccine is available free of charge from general practitioners to medical card holders and holders of GP visit cards who are deemed to be at risk of serious illness as a result of contracting the disease. While persons in the at-risk group who do not have a medical card or a GP visit card can obtain the vaccine free of charge, the fee for administering the vaccine in such cases is a matter between the general practitioner and the patient. The at-risk groups include persons aged 65 years or older, those with specific chronic illness such as chronic heart, lung or kidney disease, and those with a suppressed immune system.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

The question of extending the immunisation categories is kept under review by the national immunisation advisory committee.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I thank the Tánaiste for her reply. What is the uptake among the at-risk group to which she referred? As for the vaccination of those with medical cards, can the Tánaiste provide an estimated cost to the State at this time? What company supplies the vaccine to Ireland? Has the Tánaiste any data in respect of adverse effects among those who have availed of it?

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I understand the WHO recommends there should be an uptake of 75% among the at-risk groups. It recommends that this target should be achieved by 2010. I am sorry not to have uptake figures and I will try to acquire them for the Deputy. I also lack data pertaining to adverse effects. While I am told the vaccine is effective in up to 90% of cases, I do not know what the adverse effects might be.

Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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They are minor.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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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?

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I want to find out exactly how much that would cost. That might be interesting.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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My question concerns the free flu vaccine which has already been offered to those in the poultry sector. This was an initiative launched by the Tánaiste before Christmas. What level of proactivity was employed by the Department in promoting its uptake by those who are involved in the poultry sector and their families, as well as by those numerous categories of people who were listed in response to a question I raised on the Adjournment in this regard? If I remember correctly, the question was taken by the Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism, Deputy O'Donoghue. Can the Tánaiste advise on the uptake by those involved in the poultry sector? Was a particular effort employed in those areas of the State in which poultry farming constitutes a significant part of the local agricultural practice? These are extremely important points because, as Members are aware, if avian flu presents, it is critically important to prevent it mixing with traditional flu, thus creating a new pandemic. This is a possibility and the risk is even greater than when I first asked these questions. Can the Tánaiste provide the House with an update in this respect?

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I am not in a position to give Deputy Ó Caoláin an update. As for the cost of extending free vaccinations to the group referred to by Deputy McManus, as we have seen in respect of the over-70s medical card, if one announces that something will be made available to a class of citizen by virtue of the class rather than on the basis of economic circumstances, one ends up paying substantially more for it. However, if it were to be paid for on the basis of the current free scheme, it would probably cost approximately €20 million. The vaccine costs €4.45 per dose and there would be a medical fee of €34.43.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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That is good value and is worth doing.

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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We might give consideration to the measure, especially if we could deliver it at a cost of €19 million. However, I suspect that were we to take such an approach, it would cost much more to include the group in question. Clearly, our aim is to have a 70% uptake among the at-risk group by 2010, which has great benefits. Members are all aware, from their experiences with elderly people, that those who receive the flu vaccine are less likely to encounter winter complications. It is highly successful.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Has the Tánaiste anything at all to say regarding the scheme she introduced before Christmas for the poultry sector?

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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If it is in order, I will return to the Deputy on this matter.