Flu vaccine distribution
Deputy Mythen said pharmacies in Wexford were facing problems with the winter flu vaccine supply and school clinic quantities. The Taoiseach said the HSE should be contacted and that he would alert it to the issue.
I raise the important issue of the winter flu vaccine in relation to the revelations this morning concerning the distribution of the vaccine. I was contacted by a local pharmacy group that represents pharmacies in the south east, particularly in County Wexford. Their problem seems to be the method of releasing the flu vaccine is not compatible with the quantities ordered. This is leaving the school clinic initiative way short of the quantities required. There are 13 primary schools signed up to this initiative in Wexford. This is a serious problem. Will the Taoiseach immediately review the distribution chain and distribution method of the winter flu vaccine? This will also have the immediate effect of relieving the burden on Covid-19 testing centres.
Comment on this
Dr. Colm Henry was on the national airwaves this morning explaining and outlining the flu vaccine programme. There has been a substantial uptake of the vaccine this year. The pharmacies concerned should communicate with the HSE on whatever issues they have in terms of the distribution of the vaccine. I have no doubt that pharmacies in general are well aware, as are general practitioners, of the HSE programme. I will alert the HSE to the point the Deputy has raised.