Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 95: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason only 1.1 million vaccines of the 3 million vaccines bought, were administered to the population in view of the Health Service Executive campaign on swine influenza; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25783/10]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 122: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if it is planned to administer any further vaccinations against H1N1; her plans for the surplus vaccines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25906/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 95 and 122 together.

My Department and the Health Service Executive had been preparing for some years for the probability of an influenza pandemic. As part of these extensive preparations, a National Pandemic Preparedness Plan was published in 2007. Ireland put in place advance purchase agreements with two vaccine manufacturers prior to the declaration of the pandemic and secured a total of 7.7m doses of pandemic vaccine. Upon receipt of the World Health Organisation declaration of a pandemic in April 2009, this Plan was immediately put into operation. Vaccination was considered to be a key strategy to be used to mitigate the effects of the H1N1 pandemic. An extensive media and publicity campaign was launched regarding the benefits of vaccination and every person in the country was offered the vaccine.

The public pandemic vaccination campaign came to an end on 31st 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 from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee, that those in the "at risk" group should 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 these particular groups. The vaccine will also be available to those travelling to the southern hemisphere during the upcoming influenza season.

The HSE had contracts in place for the provision of pandemic vaccine with two pharmaceutical companies, Baxter and GSK for a total of 7.7m doses. Baxter 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 has agreed with GSK that no further vaccines will be delivered and that HSE will only pay for the 2.35m doses received to date. In line with good practice in other countries and the WHO, all elements of the handling of the Pandemic are currently under review in my Department and the HSE with a view to updating and strengthening our influenza preparedness.