Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)

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

The BCG vaccine, which protects against tuberculosis, 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 TB. The vaccine has contributed to the dramatic decline in tuberculosis over the past 40 years.

The Department of Health and Children has been informed by the Health Service Executive that in the Cork area, BCG vaccination is currently provided on an 'at risk' basis. Vaccination is offered to new-born infants where there is a close family history of tuberculosis, such as a parent, immigrants from high incidence countries and their children, or children intending to visit high incident countries for more than one month, or contacts with cases of active respiratory tuberculosis. The HSE South plans to hold BCG vaccination clinics throughout the Cork area in the near future. A BCG vaccination programme for new-born infants was due to be introduced last October, but owing to a shortage of the vaccine from November 2007 until March 2008, a BCG vaccination waiting list now exists. This shortage was a Europe-wide problem, as the manufacturer in question is the only company that supplies the vaccine to the European market. Unfortunately, it is not possible to stockpile the vaccine as it has a very short shelf life.

Parents who request the BCG vaccination for their child have their child's name placed on a waiting list. Plans for additional resources are at an advanced stage and the recruitment process is under way. In the meantime, those children considered to be most at risk are being prioritized.

Immunisation, a safe and effective way to help the body prevent or fight off certain diseases, is provided through vaccinations that are 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.

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 take this opportunity to urge all parents to have their children immunised against the diseases covered by the childhood immunisation programme, in order to ensure that both their children and the general population have maximum protection against the diseases concerned.

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