Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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1720. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department has considered the case for making the flu vaccine free to accelerate uptake at this time of acute pressure. [2370/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation. It makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department.

The NIAC continues to revise recommendations to allow for the introduction of new vaccines in Ireland and to keep abreast of changes in the patterns of disease. Therefore, the immunisation schedule will continue to be amended over time.

During the 2022/2023 flu season, the flu vaccine is available free of charge to adults over 65 years, individuals in specified at-risk groups and children aged from 2 to 17 years of age. This programme ensures that those most vulnerable to the effects of influenza will have access to the flu vaccination without a charge.