Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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297. To ask the Minister for Health the cost of the 'flu vaccine programme in 2020; the additional costs arising from the recently announced measures; the number of doses expected to be provided in 2020; the number of doses ordered; the estimated cost to provide the 'flu vaccine free to all; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22911/20]

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 total influenza vaccination programme in 2020 is expected to cost approximately €77 million, with approximately €61.5 million of that cost associated with the expansion of the programme. It is not possible to estimate the cost of expanding the influenza program to provide vaccine administration without charge to the entire population, as the calculation would depend on too many variables such as the type and quantity of vaccine to be procured as well as the rate of vaccine uptake.

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.

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.