Additional stocks of flu vaccine have been ordered by the Department of Health to ensure the shortages experienced last winter are not repeated.
The announcement came at the launch yesterday of this year's national influenza vaccination campaign which aims to get at least 70 per cent of "at risk" groups to take up the vaccination. Last year the uptake was 55 per cent.
Those considered most at risk include those aged over 65, and persons with underlying disease and suppressed immune systems.
Launching the campaign, the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, urged the elderly and others for whom vaccination was recommended to get vaccinated as soon as possible, ideally during September or October. He warned that influenza is a highly infectious viral disease that could result in hospitalisation and even threaten the lives of those in at-risk categories.
Healthcare workers are also urged to get vaccinated this year. Protection lasts for one year so it is important that at-risk groups are vaccinated every year, he said.
"The message is clear - vaccinate - it may save your life," Mr Martin added.
He confirmed the quantity of vaccine available had increased from 300,000 doses last year to in excess of 500,000 this year.
Dr Neville de Souza, a specialist in public health medicine with the South Eastern Health Board, said admissions to hospitals of elderly people with respiratory infection were substantially reduced following last year's vaccination campaign.
Dr Darina O'Flanagan, director of the National Disease Surveillance Centre, emphasised the vaccine was safe and effective and reduced by 70 to 90 per cent the chance of acquiring influenza.
Mr Martin said a plan to address any future influenza pandemic will be published later this year.
Dr James O'Reilly, chairman of the GP Committee of the Irish Medical Organisation, said he was especially encouraging people caring for the elderly to avail of the vaccine. It would act as an added safeguard for the vulnerable people in their care.