Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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753. To ask the Minister for Health when a decision will issue regarding adding the enhanced influenza vaccine to the HSE adult immunisation programme for the 2025-26 winter flu season, with particular reference to HIQA's recent findings regarding the use of enhanced influenza vaccines for the over-65s, and bearing in mind the need to provide sufficient lead-in time to ensure the enhanced vaccines are provided in time for the for 2025-26 winter flu season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42818/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The National Influenza Vaccination Programme ensures that those most vulnerable to the effects of influenza have access to the flu vaccine, free of charge. By providing vaccination to those most at risk, and those most likely to require admission to hospital should they contract influenza, the programme aims to prevent, as far as possible, the need for influenza-related hospital admissions, as well as to reduce the overall spread of influenza in the community.

My Department is currently considering the findings of HIQA's recently published HTA on enhanced inactivated influenza vaccines for over 65s. Once this consideration is complete, a policy decision will be made to inform the influenza vaccination programme.