Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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1423. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the advice from the EU Commission to member states to commence the flu vaccination programme early in view of the pressure on health systems due to Covid 19; and his views on this advice. [20864/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the recent advice from the European Commission to member states which presents the immediate short-term measures to strengthen EU health preparedness for COVID-19 outbreaks, including activities to reduce the burden of seasonal influenza.  

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 vaccination campaign for the 2020/2021 season will commence no later than October. The HSE has placed its orders for the vaccines and delivery is expected in mid–September when the vaccines will then be distributed to vaccinating sites across the country.  

This expanded programme will ensure that those most at risk and those most likely to require hospitalisation if they contract influenza, will have access to the vaccine without charges.  The expansion will be accompanied by a comprehensive communications campaign to encourage the greatest possible take-up.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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1424. To ask the Minister for Health the number of flu vaccines which have been secured for the upcoming flu season; the way in which this compares to the number in 2019; the estimated uptake figures for each target group; his views on the advisability of a full population uptake programme in view of the pressure on hospitals as a result of Covid-19; and if he is satisfied that the current proposals are adequate. [20865/20]

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 expanded programme will ensure that those most vulnerable to the effects of influenza will have access to vaccination without charges. By providing vaccination to those most at-risk, and those most likely to require hospitalisation if they contract influenza, the programme will see a reduction in the number of influenza-related hospital admissions, as well as a reduction in the overall spread of influenza infections.

The HSE has placed orders for 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 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.  Both orders have been confirmed by the manufacturers and deliveries will commence from September.

The total quantity of vaccine ordered for the upcoming winter season is a substantial increase on the 1.15 million doses of Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine which was contracted for purchase for the 2019/2020 winter season. It is difficult to accurately estimate the rate of vaccine uptake for the upcoming winter season, although a higher demand for the influenza vaccine than in previous years is anticipated due to the emergence of COVID-19. The quantities of vaccine ordered are expected to be sufficient to meet even this increased level of demand.

The approach taken to expanding the influenza vaccination programme for winter 2020/2021 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.