[ad_1]
Children between the ages of two and 12, and health workers and other risk groups, will receive free doses of the flu vaccine this fall, announced Health Minister Stephen Donnelly.
The provision of special payments to GPs for Covid-19 consultations will be expanded, Donnelly said as well.
General practitioners will receive € 15 for administering the flu vaccine to adults and € 20 for administering a nasal flu vaccine to children.
However, the Irish Medical Organization (IMO) told its members that, as part of the agreement with the Government, there would be an additional bonus payment of € 100 for every 10 vaccinated adult patients and € 150 for every 10 children.
A payment of € 25 for the classification of non-Covid patients that had been available to GPs will end on September 4.
Primary care physicians will continue to receive the special payments until the end of December, but Donnelly says he wants to continue the arrangement until March 31.
The expansion of the influenza vaccination program, agreed to by the Cabinet on Tuesday, had been previously noted.
With the change, young children will have access to vaccination, using a nasal spray instead of an injection, for the first time. However, the doses will not be available “at the end of October,” according to Donnelly.
‘Short delay’
Vaccines for adults in risk categories are subject to a “short delay” in delivery from the manufacturer, but are likely to be available in “about two weeks,” he added.
“This delay affects all customers around the world, not just Ireland. It is caused by an administrative delay and not by problems in the manufacture or the quality of the vaccine. “
The doses for Ireland will be in the first batch of vaccine released, Donnelly said.
“We know that early detection of Covid-19 cases is key to suppressing the disease in the community, and even more so in winter, so I am happy that this support allows GPs to continue providing free Covid-19 consultations. to your patients. “
When asked why adolescents are not given the flu vaccine, other than those in risk groups, the Health Department said that younger children are among those most at risk of contracting the flu. flu and that the minister focused on the most vulnerable groups, among whom the campaign will have the greatest impact.
Donnelly said he was “pleased that this support enables GPs to continue to provide free consultations to their patients.”
“It is very important that cost is not a barrier for anyone looking to get tested, so I want to make it clear that your phone consultation with your GP to decide if you should get tested is free. The Covid-19 test, as well as any hospital treatment you may need, will also be free. “
Challenging period
The expanded influenza vaccination program will help protect society and the health service from any increase in Covid-19 cases that occurs at the same time as an increase in influenza infections, he said.
“The health service is entering a challenging winter period, amid a global pandemic. It is important that we make all collective efforts to limit the impact on the health service in the coming months.
“Limiting that impact and protecting the most vulnerable people in our society means that everyone who can get the flu vaccine should get it, and we’re starting by making it accessible at no charge to all at-risk groups. GPs, pharmacists and their staff have worked incredibly hard to support and care for their patients during this pandemic. Administration of the flu vaccine will be another crucial part of that job.
Under an agreement with the IMO last March, GPs were to receive fees ranging from € 25 to € 75 depending on the particular service provided. There has been controversy over the additional fees charged to after-hours patients for Covid-19 consultations.
[ad_2]