Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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1191. To ask the Minister for Health the number of flu vaccines that the HSE plans to procure for the forthcoming flu season; his plans to make the vaccine mandatory subject to medical advice for any cohort of the population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20049/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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To mitigate as much as possible the pressure on the health services that would result from a coincidence of the winter flu season and a resurgence of COVID-19, there will be an expanded provision of seasonal influenza vaccine this year.  All of those in the at-risk groups aged from 6 months up, including healthcare workers, will be able to access the vaccination without charges.  All children aged from 2 to 12 years inclusive will also have access to vaccination without charges.

The HSE has placed orders for approximately 1.35 million doses of the Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine for the forthcoming winter. This vaccine will be made available to all persons in an at-risk group aged from 6 months up, other than children aged from 2 to 12 years old inclusive. The HSE has also ordered 600,000 doses of the Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine, which is delivered via nasal drops rather than by injection and will be made available to all children aged from 2 to 12 years old inclusive. The quantities of vaccine ordered are expected to be sufficient to meet even an increased level of demand as a result of COVID.

Increasing vaccination rates in general across the country is a health priority, and several options in this area are being explored. The influenza vaccine expansion will be accompanied by a comprehensive communications campaign to encourage the greatest possible take-up. There are no plans at present to make influenza vaccinations mandatory for any cohort of the population.