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The Executive of the Health Service has said that the 2 million vaccines against influenza ordered for this winter will be available within the established deadlines.
Several GPs have said that they have already used up the vaccines provided by the HSE.
Prominent Dublin GP Maitiú Ó Tuathail tweeted that after his first flu vaccination clinic there was great acceptance, especially among those over 70.
“Unfortunately, we have already run out and now we have to establish a waiting list for the next round.
GPs received far fewer vaccinations than we did last year, ”he said.
The HSE and the pharmaceutical industry have said more vaccines will be available in 2020 than last year, at 1.35 million injectable adult flu doses, compared with 1.1 million last year. It has also ordered 600,000 nasal doses for children between the ages of 2 and 12.
However, delivery has been staggered. The first batch, which comprises 50 percent of the total order, has already been delivered.
The next batch, which amounts to 25 percent, will be delivered next week and the remaining supplies will be delivered at the end of October.
There was a two-week delay with initial shipments, according to a pharmaceutical industry source.
This was attributed to having to wait for French authorities to authorize this year’s quadrivalent flu vaccine. The HSE said this would not affect the delivery schedule
Another reason, mentioned by Dr. Ó Tuathail, is that acceptance this year could be higher due to increased awareness of the threat of the so-called “twin” of the flu and Covid-19.
Uptake of the flu vaccine among older people is high, with 69% of those over 65 years old receiving the free injection last year, compared to an EU average of 41%.
Absorption this year is expected to be higher. The vaccine injections will be administered by family doctors and also by pharmacists.
The vaccine will also be offered free to healthcare workers. Last year, 60 percent benefited from the vaccine, but the HSE has set a target of 75 percent this year.
On Thursday, HSE CEO Paul Reid said it would be “inconceivable” for a healthcare worker not to get a flu vaccine this winter, given the threat posed by Covid-19.
“Of all the years, I cannot understand why any healthcare worker would not get the vaccine this year, especially if they are working in a setting with vulnerable people,” HSE Clinical Director Dr. Colm Henry said in a Covid-19 briefing on Thursday.
For the first time, all children between the ages of two and 12 are entitled to a free flu vaccine. Children will receive a nasal vaccine instead of an injection.
While most children get mild doses of the flu, there are some serious cases. According to the HSE, in the past 10 years, nearly 5,000 children were admitted to the hospital with complications from the flu.
Nearly 200 children received intensive care treatment for the flu and 40 children died.
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