Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 13: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if sufficient supplies of vaccine are available to address the increase in the number of cases of H1N1 virus which have been diagnosed resulting in increased risk to vulnerable sectors of the population; the categories of persons now being advised to be vaccinated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1555/11]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 14: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if all the recommendations of the Pandemic Influenza Expert Group which reported in 2007 have been implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1780/11]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 14 together.

Approximately 650,000 seasonal flu vaccines were delivered to the HSE in September 2010 and have already been distributed to GPs and HSE sites. The HSE is in the process of drawing down a further 100,000 vaccines which were part of the contingency arrangements within the same contract.

The HSE will also deliver supplies of Pandemrix, one of the vaccines used during last year's H1N1 pandemic vaccination campaign, to GPs and to other HSE sites. As most of the seasonal flu cases at present are swine flu, this will ensure continuity of supply of vaccines against swine flu if infection rates continue to rise as expected over the next few weeks.

Those to be vaccinated are the same now as advised in September last following advice from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The groups strongly recommended for the 2010/11 seasonal influenza vaccine include all those aged 65 years and over, adults and children over 6 months of age with long-term illnesses such as chronic respiratory disease, moderate or severe asthma, chronic heart disease and all those who are immunosuppressed due to disease or treatment as well as healthcare staff and carers.

In addition, healthy pregnant women and women up to six weeks after giving birth who have not previously received the swine flu vaccine are urged to get the seasonal flu vaccination this year as they are at higher risk of complications from swine flu. Pregnant women who have a long term medical condition such as diabetes, heart or lung disease need to get the seasonal flu vaccine even if they have already had the swine flu vaccine last year.

The HSE is satisfied that it has sufficient supplies of vaccine to cater for the need.

The report referred to by Deputy Ferris is the "Pandemic Preparedness for Ireland: Advice of the Pandemic Influenza Expert Group" which was published in 2007 and revised in November 2008. The aim of the document is to provide authoritative information on pandemic influenza, clinical guidance for health professionals, and public health advice for the public, public health professionals, and policy makers in my Department and other government Departments and agencies, all of whom are involved in the response to any influenza pandemic. This document is an advice paper which forms part of the ongoing deliberations, inter alia, of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) which met on a daily basis during the influenza pandemic of 2009. It continues to meet now as required to monitor and review influenza activity. The NPHET refers issues on a regular basis to the Pandemic Influenza Expert Group for advice and where appropriate their recommendations are taken into account by the Department, the HSE and by the NPHET.