Minister for Health Mary Harney has told the Dáil that there is no issue of indemnification for GPs in relation to the swine flu vaccine.
Ms Harney said the three companies providing the vaccines, were fully indemnified, so GPs have no concerns about this.
Her comments come as the three main Dublin maternity hospitals said they will restrict visiting from this Friday, to minimise the risk of human swine flu infection.
The hospitals involved are the Coombe Women’s Hospital, the Rotunda Hospital and the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street.
Visiting will be restricted to the partner or nominated visitor for expectant mothers and gynaecology in-patients and the parents or guardians of infants in the paediatric unit.
No more than one person should accompany any adult patient attending the outpatient department.
Visitors with flu-like symptoms are being asked not to visit the hospitals and children should not be brought in as visitors.
7,500 vaccinated so far
Over 7,500 people in the at-risk category have been immunised against human swine flu at HSE clinics, since the mass vaccination campaign began on Monday, the executive has said.
It said that GPs have also been busy and the turnout for vaccination from family doctors is likely to be higher than the number seen at HSE clinics so far.
However, the returns of vaccination figures from GPs will not be available for a few weeks.
Appointments for HSE clinics can be booked online 24 hours in advance at www.swineflu.ie
