Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1446. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide the flu vaccine free of charge to all persons that request it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20984/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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.

This approach 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.