Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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1205. To ask the Minister for Health the number of winter flu vaccines that have been administered to different cohorts to date in October 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47956/23]

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 2023/2024 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 12 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. Full detail on the eligible groups is available on the HSE website.

The HSE will deliver school based nasal flu vaccinations (LAIV) to one year group of children in mainstream primary schools and all children in primary age special schools between October & December 2023. GPs and Pharmacies will continue to offer free flu vaccination services to all eligible children, as in previous flu seasons.

I am advised that vaccination uptake rates for the current flu season are not yet available. Uptake rates will be published by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre in due course.