Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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1134. To ask the Minister for Health if the possibility of teachers, SNAs and all school staff being offered the flu vaccination free of charge has been examined. [32346/20]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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1340. To ask the Minister for Health if he will extend the flu vaccination programme in order that teachers can receive the flu vaccine free of charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33257/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1134 and 1340 together.

Given the potential for the winter flu season in 2020/2021 to coincide with a resurgence of COVID, and the importance of minimising hospital attendance, the Government has expanded the provision of vaccination without charge to all of those in the HSE defined at-risk groups and to all children aged from 2 to 12 years inclusive.

The expanded programme will ensure that those most vulnerable to the effects of influenza will have access to vaccination 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.

By providing vaccination to those most at-risk, and those most likely to require hospitalisation if they contract influenza, it is anticipated that 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 in the community.

This season, approximately 2 million doses of influenza vaccine have been purchased, which is double the amount administered last season. The HSE has procured 1.35 million doses of the Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (QIV) for the forthcoming winter. This vaccine is being made available to all persons in an at-risk group and aged from 6 months up. In addition, the HSE has also purchased 600,000 doses of the Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV), which is delivered via nasal drops rather than by injection and is being made available to all children aged from 2 to 12 years old inclusive.

Demand for vaccination this year is unprecedented. This is the case across Europe and beyond. However, the HSE is satisfied that sufficient vaccine has been ordered to vaccinate all those in the at-risk groups. This expansion is the most possible in 2020, in particular as the international market for vaccines is under considerable pressure this year and it is not possible to procure additional quantities at this stage.