Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for the question. There has been an increase in the number of cases of meningitis B. There were 11 new cases this year as opposed to five last year. It is important to note there has been no new case since 6 January. No one has been diagnosed since then.

On the Deputy's question about vaccination, this is not a decision that the Minister for Health can or should make. It is made by the national immunisation advisory committee, which has not recommended that immunisation against meningitis B be provided for children. Since 2016, all newborn babies receive the vaccine. It is not recommended for others. We rely on the advice of the national immunisation advisory committee.

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