Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

I am taking the matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children. I thank the Deputy for raising this matter as it provides me with an opportunity to outline to the House the importance to the Department of Health and Children and the HSE of the issue raised.

The BCG vaccine protects against TB and is usually given to newborn babies, but can also be given to older children and adults who are considered to be at risk of developing the disease. The BCG vaccine has contributed to the dramatic decline in TB in the past 40 years. My Department has been informed by the HSE that, owing to regulatory difficulties being experienced by the manufacturer of the BCG vaccine, there is a shortage of the vaccine throughout the country. This is a Europe-wide problem as the manufacturer in question is the only company which supplies the vaccine to the European market. The HSE is in regular contact with the supplier and is doing all it can to ensure delivery of the vaccine at the earliest possible juncture. Unfortunately, it is not possible to stockpile the vaccine in advance as it has a very short shelf-life. It is anticipated that the HSE will receive fresh stocks of the vaccine early next month.

Parents of any new-born baby who has not received BCG vaccine owing to the current shortage will be contacted by their local health office with an appointment to receive the vaccine when the new stocks arrive. As the Deputy pointed out, immunisation is a safe, effective way to help the body prevent or fight off certain diseases. Immunisation is provided through vaccinations where a vaccine is administered to induce immunity. Under the childhood immunisation programme all vaccines and their administration are provided free of charge for all children. Parental consent is required for the administration of vaccinations to children and young people up to the age of 16. Vaccination is not mandatory in Ireland but is strongly advised by the Department of Health and Children.

The objective of the primary childhood immunisation programme is to achieve an uptake level of 95%, which is the rate required to provide population immunity, and to protect children and the population generally from the potentially serious diseases concerned. Ireland's recommended immunisation programme is based on the guidelines of the national immunisation advisory committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. These guidelines are prepared with the assistance of an active committee from associated disciplines in paediatrics, infectious diseases, general practice and public health. I again urge all parents to have their children immunised against the diseases covered by the childhood immunisation programme to ensure their children and the population generally have maximum protection against the diseases.

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