Written answers

Tuesday, 6 November 2018

Department of Health

Vaccination Programme

Photo of John BrassilJohn Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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747. To ask the Minister for Health if, following the successful roll-out of flu vaccines in pharmacies, consideration is being given to the expansion of pharmacy-based vaccination services; the reason the essential pneumococcal vaccine is not yet reimbursed in pharmacies for public patients as the flu vaccine is; the timeframe for a decision in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45807/18]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for a Partnership Government has a commitment to expand the role of community pharmacies in managing the health of public patients. Any service expansion should address unmet public health needs, improve access to existing public health services or provide better value for money or patient outcomes if delivered through pharmacies, and such decisions should be evidence based.

Among the areas under consideration is the expansion of pharmacy-provided vaccination for public patients, in order to make such treatment as accessible as possible.

The seasonal influenza vaccine is recommended for the following at risk groups:

- persons who are 65 years of age and over;

- pregnant women;

- persons have a long-term health condition;

- persons who work in healthcare;

- carers;

- persons living in a nursing home or other long-term care facility; and

- persons in regular contact with pigs, poultry or water fowl.

Currently, influenza vaccinations are available in pharmacies for medical card and at-risk patients, as well as privately.

Pharmacies also provide pneumococcal and shingles vaccinations on a private basis.

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