Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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864. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons who in previous years received the flu jab are unable to obtain it in spite of Covid-19; his views on whether the decision to acquire only 20% more doses of the flu jab compared with 2019 was short-sighted given, for example, that the UK has sought to double the number of persons vaccinated in 2020; if he regrets the decision not to make the flu jab available for all persons who require it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37111/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The expanded flu vaccination campaign underway represents a substantial advance on the campaigns of previous years. 1.95 million doses of vaccine, about twice as much as was administered last winter, has been procured. This includes 600,000 doses of the vaccine delivered via nasal drops to children aged from 2 -12. 

The approach taken by the HSE and the Government is to ensure that all of those most vulnerable to the winter flu will have access to vaccination without charge. This includes all of those in the at-risk groups and healthcare workers. The extension of vaccination to all children aged from 2 to 12 years will provide additional protection, as younger children (along with the elderly) are among those most at-risk from flu.  

1.35 million doses of the injected vaccine are being made available for those in the HSE-defined at-risk groups, including healthcare workers.  For comparison purposes, just under 1 million doses were administered last winter.  Notwithstanding the large increase in available vaccine this year, it is likely that the full supply will be used, representing an increase of 35% in uptake over last year.  This is expected to increase the population health benefit from the vaccination campaign, as well as helping to reduce the pressure on the health service, particularly when combined with the uptake among children.

I can confirm that 1.3 million of the 1.35 million doses of flu vaccine available this winter have been distributed to GPs, pharmacists and other vaccination sites since early October.  In addition, 420,000 doses of the LAIV for administration to children aged from 2 to 12 have been distributed.  

Demand for vaccination remains strong at this point and may exceed available supply. It is likely that the full amount procured, 1.35 million doses, will be distributed and administered. As a consequence, from the fourth round of deliveries which started on 23 October, GPs and pharmacists have been asked that of remaining patients in at-risk groups, priority should be given to the over-65s and healthcare workers with direct patient contact, in line with WHO advice.

Vaccinations are ordered well in advance – the HSE placed its order for the vaccine for those in at-risk groups in February. The HSE order for the 2020/21 season was 20% greater than the order for the 2019/20 season and about 35% more than 2019/20 uptake. These figures do not include the additional 600,000 doses of vaccine ordered for children aged from 2 – 12, which would bring to almost 75% the additional number of doses of vaccine available this year. Given the demand on the international market for influenza vaccine, it is not likely that we will be able to procure more vaccine at this point. 

When the vaccination programme is complete, we will have vaccinated more people in at-risk groups than ever before.  Current trends suggest that at least 350,000 more individuals in the at-risk groups will receive the flu vaccine this winter than last, including those over 65 and healthcare workers. In addition, over 100,000 children have already received the vaccination which is being provided without charge this year for the first time.  I expect this number to increase significantly in the coming weeks also.