366. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he will accept HIQA advice and instruct the HSE to put in place a procurement tender for enhanced flu vaccines for older people; if a decision will be made in a timely manner so that a tender process can be put in place this December for next year’s flu season to allow for a change in vaccine to be procured for the 2025-2026 winter flu season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43753/24]

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.