Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Keogan for welcoming me to the Seanad and congratulate her on being selected to become a Senator.

The Senator has tabled a very important Commencement matter. She mentioned older persons and I am very conscious that this is International Day of Older Persons. This discussion is also timely as we face into a winter with Covid-19, the winter vomiting bug and the winter flu. I am delighted to be here to respond.

We are all aware of the impact that Covid has had on our healthcare system and communities. In the coming winter months there will be additional pressures on the health system and its providers. The Government believes that increasing wider access to the winter influenza vaccine is a high priority and is needed to protect members of society, especially the most at-risk groups, and to help mitigate the impact on the health services as the pandemic evolves. I would like to announce the introduction of a new service development that will allow for the influenza vaccination to be supplied and administered by appropriately trained pharmacists at locations other than on the premises of the retail pharmacy business, which is exactly the point the Senator raised.

This extension of current practice will enable pharmacists to provide vaccination services to a greater number of patients. By providing for an off-site vaccination service, it will also remove some potential practical barriers such as capacity within the pharmacy premises due to social distancing recommendations and other public safety measures, which are in place at this time. It also has the potential to greatly increase uptake of the influenza vaccine in all the groups who can avail of the vaccine free of charge, in particular those in the at-risk categories as well as patients wishing to access the service privately. This will help to alleviate some pressures and concerns around personal safety that patients may feel, particularly during these very challenging times.Potential locations where pharmacists may wish to provide this service may include in a person's car or home, a residential care home or a car park, including a drive-through service similar to Covid-19 testing services. They may also be administered at a business premises, a school or other childcare facility or a community or sports hall, as the Senator mentions.

This amending legislation, which has been signed into law, underpins this new service development and it is envisaged to be in place for the upcoming flu season. In support of this practice extension, the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland, PSI, is drafting additional guidance to support pharmacy owners, superintendent pharmacists and supervising pharmacists. These guidelines will enable the delivery of a safe and effective vaccination service off-site from the pharmacy premises. This guidance will be considered by the PSI council in early October and it is envisaged that it will be then rolled out nationwide.

It is also important to note that there is no limitation in regulation to the places where a GP may administer a vaccine and the only restrictions that existed applied to pharmacists. I am delighted to say the Irish Pharmacy Union is fully supportive of this new service practice. I take this opportunity, on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, to thank the PSI and relevant stakeholders for their assistance and support in the development of this service extension.