Ireland's first drive-through flu vaccine clinic opens this weekend in Co Cork.
However, the centre is already facing challenges over a shortage in supply of the vaccine.
Dr Mike Thompson, a GP from the Imokilly Medical Centre in Midleton who set up the clinic, said the HSE needs to get more vaccines to GPs and pharmacies.
Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast, Dr Thompson said that "everyone" should get the flu vaccine.
This includes everyone over 65, children between two and 12 years old, all healthcare workers, pregnant women, everyone with a long term condition and anyone who is a close contact.
He said: "There is an issue with supply at the moment, it is coming through a little bit delayed and a little bit slowly."
He added that many of his colleagues were running Saturday clinics to make sure people can receive their vaccinations.
Following on from the idea of drive-through COVID-19 test centres, he said the safest way for people to get the flu vaccination at the weekend clinics was in their cars.
Dr Thompson said the first weekend of the initiative was booked out but that the second weekend may have to be deferred over a shortage in supply of the vaccine.
He added: "I don't know if anyone is to blame or not, the HSE are trying to sort it.
"We will have plenty of time in late October or early November to get all the eligible people [vaccinated].
"[For] non-eligible people, ie private people, the HSE said they are not responsible for that cohort of patients. That can include people like Guards, teachers and SNAs.
"I think it's a little bit of an abdication of responsibility to a large population who are doing a service to the community.
He said that GPs cannot source private vaccinations which means that if people have had "the good practice" of paying for vaccinations each winter, they cannot get it this year.
He added: "We hope that and the social distancing will mitigate large outbreaks of influenza this winter."
COVID-19
Dr Thompson said that he and his colleagues have been "very, very busy" during the coronavirus pandemic and dealing with patients who require testing.
He said: "The issue we're finding which is impacting a bit on our workflow is for asymptomatic people who are being told they may be close contacts.
"I know my public health colleagues are under huge pressure in trying to work through the sheer volume so we're having to take on a little bit of extra work.
"I do fully stick with the message that our public health people are the people who should decide if someone is a close contact."
Dr Thompson added that he believes "our public health department and NPHET are doing a fantastic job".
His message to people is to "listen to the experts" and that he would "rather listen to a scientist than a politician".
He said: "I'm a GP and I'm listening to NPHET and they're the people we should be listening to.
"I do think the message is that NPHET are still concerned and I would hate to distract from their message and I would be 100% behind what they would say."
