Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent)
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1430. To ask the Minister for Health the supply situation for child flu vaccines presently in reserve stock; the way in which his Department is allocating stock for school inoculation programmes; if his attention has been drawn to significant supply delays at pharmacy level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33748/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Government has expanded the provision of seasonal influenza vaccination without charge to all of those in the HSE-defined at-risk groups, including healthcare workers, and to all children aged from 2 to 12 years. Vaccines are being administered via GPs and pharmacists, as in previous years, and are not being delivered through the schools-based programme as not all eligible children are of school age.

This season, 1.95 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 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.

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

International markets for influenza vaccine are extremely tight this year, and in Ireland this resulted in deliveries from the manufacturer taking longer than intended. However, the full quantity of vaccine ordered has now been received. 950,000 doses of the injected vaccine have been distributed to GPs, pharmacists, and healthcare settings. This is 10% more than the amount distributed at the same time in 2019 and is equal to almost the full amount administered in the 2019/20 season. The quantities distributed to GPs and pharmacists has been based on the orders from the same sources last year, in order to ensure an equitable distribution. The remaining 400,000 doses will be distributed to GPs and pharmacists in the coming weeks.

Demand for vaccination this year is unprecedented. This is the case across Europe and beyond. Given the finite supply available, it is important that even the increased quantities available in Ireland are targeted where they will have the greatest impact.

The new nasal (LAIV) influenza vaccine programme for children is well underway across the country. A high uptake of the vaccine in children has been shown to reduce the spread of influenza in the community. Maximising uptake of LAIV in children will also help protect others against influenza in the community. The full quantity of LAIV ordered has also now been received, 300,000 doses have already been distributed to GPs and pharmacists and the remaining doses are currently being distributed.

Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent)
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1431. To ask the Minister for Health if public health has considered the possibility of using child nasal spray flu vaccines for adult inoculation; if this is possible; if his officials or other public health officials are considering this avenue in the event that adult vaccines become difficult to source or become unavailable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33749/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The new nasal (LAIV) influenza vaccine programme for children is well underway across the country. A high uptake of the vaccine in children has been shown to reduce the spread of influenza in the community. Maximising uptake of LAIV in children will also help protect others against influenza in the community. The full quantity of LAIV ordered has been received by the HSE's National Immunisation Office and is being distributed to GPs and pharmacists. The LAIV is only licenced for use in children and adolescents aged from 2 years to 17 years of age inclusive. For this reason, the vaccine can not be used for adults.