Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputies Cowen and Flanagan have raised this issue as well. Vaccination is recognised as one of the most cost-effective and successful public health interventions that exists. The World Health Organization, WHO, estimates that 2 to 3 million deaths a year are prevented by vaccination, and a further 1.5 million could be avoided if global coverage of vaccinations improved. I thank Deputy Stanley for his kind remarks. We are all supportive of the schools-based immunisation programmes and recognise that the uptake of these vaccines is higher when delivered in schools.

However, we must acknowledge the significant challenges that have been encountered in delivering the programme this year. The HSE has been striving to overcome these challenges and put in place alternative arrangements to ensure that the schools-based immunisation programme can continue to be delivered as soon as possible. The HSE is committed to continuing to offer the recommended immunisations to school-aged children, with as little disruption as possible. I will pass on the Deputy's concerns regarding the cervical vaccine to the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly. We will be keeping abreast of developments regarding the recovery plan and the resumption of the schools-based immunisation programme in the coming weeks.

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