John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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724. To ask the Minister for Health if residents of nursing homes were given the option of availing of the 'flu vaccine in 2019; his plans on same for 2020; if his Department or another health agency under his remit issued advice in this regard to nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13995/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The seasonal influenza vaccine is available free of charge to those most at risk of developing serious complications from influenza infection. These 'at-risk' groups include all people aged 65 years and older and residents of long-stay residential facilities, including nursing homes.

Vaccines are supplied by the HSE to GPs, retail pharmacies and occupational health departments, as well as community nursing homes and hospitals. Influenza vaccine is administered to residents of nursing homes by their GP or the medical officer in the nursing home.

The HSE's National Immunisation Office (NIO) prepares for influenza season, annually, by communicating with GPs and pharmacists and other healthcare workers, including services for older people, and voluntary organisations representing older people and those affected by long-term medical conditions. Information materials are disseminated about the season’s influenza vaccine and the importance of vaccinating all those who are at-risk, particularly people aged 65 years and older and residents of long-stay residential facilities, including nursing homes. At the start and during each influenza season, a media campaign is run to encourage people to get the vaccine.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre of the HSE publishes a report of Influenza Vaccine uptake in Acute Hospitals and Long-term/Residential Care Facilities in Ireland for each influenza season. The report for the 2018/2019 influenza season, which is the most recent report available, is available on the HPSC website at the following link:

Influenza vaccine uptake for long stay residents of long-term care facilities included in the report was 89%, exceeding the World Health Organization target of 75% for at-risk groups.