Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 101: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if the swine flu H1N1 vaccination programme has concluded; the amount of money spent on the vaccine programme; if there are excess vaccines that will not be needed; if so, if it has been possible to reclaim the cost of same from the manufacturers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20191/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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The public pandemic vaccination campaign came to an end on 31st of March, 2010. Following a full assessment of the current situation, the risks of a second wave, the availability of vaccine and other factors, the National Public Health Emergency Team decided, following advice received from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee, that those in the "at risk" group will continue to be vaccinated. This means that up to September 2010 the vaccine will continue to be available free of charge through GPs and Maternity Units to the following groups of people:

Pregnant women - from 14 weeks pregnant to 6 weeks after giving birth All those newly diagnosed in the "at risk" group i.e. Anyone aged over 6 months and under 65 years who has:

Long-term Lung Disease (like Asthma and Cystic Fibrosis)

Long-term Heart Disease

Long-term Kidney Disease

Long-term Liver Disease

Long-term Neurological Disease (like MS, Cerebral Palsy)

Immunosuppression e.g. cancer treatment (and their household contacts)

Haemoglobinopathies

Diabetes

Morbid Obesity (check with your GP)

All those travelling to the southern hemisphere during the upcoming influenza season.

With regard to the other issues raised, I wish to advise the Deputy that, due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive, it is not possible for the Executive to supply current information in relation to the swine flu H1N1 vaccination programme. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course. The following is the latest information available.

The HSE had contracts in place for the provision of pandemic vaccine with Baxter for 4.25 million doses and GSK for 3.45 million doses. Baxter has supplied a total of 619,200 doses and the HSE terminated this contract in December 2009. GSK has supplied 2.35 million doses and the HSE is currently finalising negotiations regarding possible options for dealing with the balance.