Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 310: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 280 of 2 November 2005, her views on whether the Health Service Executive leaflet on the influenza vaccine is misleading as it indicated that the vaccine is free to all persons in the at-risk groups when this is effectively only the case for medical card holders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33034/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I am satisfied that the Health Service Executive materials are not misleading. For instance, the public poster, Anyone can catch the flu!, clearly states:

Over 65s and younger people with chronic diseases are especially vulnerable. The vaccine is free to these groups. GPs charge a consultation fee to those without a medical card.

The leaflet with frequently asked questions states that the vaccine is free to all persons over 65 and those in the younger "at risk" groups with a chronic disease and that family doctors charge a consultation fee to patients not covered by a medical card.

This information is correct. As stated in my reply to Question No. 280 of 2 November 2005, the influenza vaccine is available free of charge from general practitioners to medical cardholders who are deemed to be "at risk" of serious illness as a result of contracting the disease. Persons in the "at risk" group who do not have a medical card can obtain the vaccine free of charge, however, the fee for administering the vaccine in such cases is a matter between the general practitioner and the patient.