Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 January 2026
2315. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the influenza vaccination uptake rates to date for the 2025–2026 season, broken down by age cohort and risk group; how these figures compare with the same period in each of the previous three years; and what policy measures her Department has taken to address any identified decline in uptake. [75078/25]
View answerThe immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation.
The Influenza Vaccination Programme provides a free flu vaccine to those most vulnerable to the effects of the flu. Ensuring high uptake of winter vaccines is a priority for the Minister for Health. The Department of Health has put in place a robust media and communications campaigns. This campaign, which includes the use of social media platforms, commenced in early October and will continue throughout the season.
In addition, the Chief Medical Officer and Assistant Secretary in the Department with responsibility for Unscheduled care wrote to all Regional Executive Officers outlining their current Healthcare worker flu uptake rates and seeking to know what actions are underway to further encourage HCW flu vaccine uptake.
The Chief Medical Officer also wrote to each of the Postgraduate Medical Training Bodies in Ireland to request support in the promotion of flu vaccinations amongst their medical trainees, members, fellows and staff, with a view to optimising preparedness for the circulation of this winter’s respiratory viruses.
The HSE has established a national immunisation oversight committee co-chaired by the Chief Clinical Officer and a Regional Executive Officer to focus on areas with particularly low uptake to identify causes of low uptake and to determine what actions can be taken. HSE Regional Health Areas have established Regional Immunisation Committees who report to the oversight committee to understand any issues locally, for example, if there may be issues in collecting or recording uptake data.
The National Immunisation Office and the National Social Inclusion Office are working with partners and stakeholders from vulnerable communities to understand barriers to vaccination and to build confidence in immunisation.
As the HSE has responsibility for operational matters such as uptake rates, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the uptake rate analysis sought.
