Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As we know, influenza can be a serious illness for people in the at-risk groups, which can lead to hospitalisation and even death. To take on board the Senator's point again, the quantities of vaccines made available to sites will be increased in line with the amounts received into the country. I take on board the Senator's point, however, and I will bring it back to the Minister. When people have the mindset that they would like to get the vaccine now before the weather changes, it is important that sufficient quantities are there. As I said, I will raise that matter with the Minister.

Those who are not covered by the publicly funded vaccination campaign can avail of the vaccination on a private basis. The Government has not been notified of any shortages affecting the Irish market in respect of the flu vaccines. We have gone from 1.1 million vaccines last year to 1.95 million this year, which is almost 2 million. Hopefully that will be a sufficient quantity and that includes 600,000 children.