My concern relates to the flu vaccine, which was highlighted on the "Claire Byrne Live" programme on Monday night. One would think this was a way of promoting the flu vaccine but over the past week, my office has been inundated with questions about the flu vaccine and specifically quotas for doctors.

Doctors are now only receiving their first quota of vaccine but they are inundated with requests from people who are very nervous about not getting the flu vaccine. I know there is a flu epidemic on top of a pandemic. For example, a practice nurse has said she went live with a children's clinic on Monday evening and the vaccines sold out within a couple of hours. There have been several queries about how the portal is not open for the ordering of extra vaccine. Could this be addressed as a matter of urgency?

As a result of the pandemic this year, there will be a big increase in the number of people who will want a vaccination against flu. As the Deputy knows, either for the first time or the first time in a very long time, children between ages two and 12 will get a vaccination against the flu and there will be a really good uptake this year. I found it quite alarming that in previous years, less than 50% of healthcare workers, for example, got vaccinated. I am confident that the lessons from the pandemic will result in that figure going way up to 70%, 80% or 90%.

I have heard there are some supply issues but I am not sure of the current state of play. I am confident there will be enough vaccinations to ensure people can be vaccinated before flu season begins.