David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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1182. To ask the Minister for Health the persons covered by free vaccination for swine flu; and the associated administrative and other costs. [19981/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The HSE National Immunisation Office is responsible for managing vaccine procurement and distribution, and developing training and communication materials for the public and health professionals. 

As the question raised by the Deputy is a matter for the National Immunisation Office, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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1183. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated additional cost of providing the winter flu vaccine to the total appropriate population that are not currently eligible by administration cost, vaccine cost and other applicable costs; the number of persons that are eligible for free vaccination and those that are not, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19982/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The planned expansion in the provision of seasonal flu vaccine will allow all of those in the HSE-identified at-risk groups aged from 6 months up, including healthcare workers, to access the vaccination without charges.  All children aged from 2 to 12 years will also have access to vaccination without charge. 

This expanded programme will ensure that those most vulnerable to the effects of influenza will have access without charges.  This is in line with the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee and represents a significant step forward in providing vaccination without charges.  The expansion will be accompanied by a comprehensive communications campaign to encourage the greatest possible take-up.

The HSE National Immunisation Office estimate that approximately 1.35 million people are in the at-risk groups.  Of those, approximately 703,000 were already eligible for vaccination without charges.  The expanded vaccination programme for winter 2020/21 will involve the administration without charges to an additional 647,000 people in the at-risk groups. In addition, approximately 800,000 children aged between 2 and 12 years will be eligible to receive the flu vaccine without charge this coming winter.

The cost of the additional vaccine required amounts to approximately €18 million.  The cost for administration of the vaccine will depend on the rates set by the Minister following consultations in line with the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017.