Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The BCG vaccine was last available in the middle of October last year. I was advised by the HSE on 3 December last that a new stock of vaccines would not become available until mid-February. I understand, however, that vaccines may not be available until the end of March, if even then, while tens of thousands of children are waiting on vaccinations and being potentially exposed to tuberculosis, TB, infection. Upwards of 50,000 newborn children could be exposed.

Eliminating the scourge of tuberculosis was one of the greatest achievements of Dr. Noel Browne as Minister for Health. At that time, approximately 60 years ago, the BCG vaccine first became widely used and it became central to the practical elimination of the disease in Ireland. As early as 29 March 2007, the Minister for Health and Children acknowledged an acute shortage of the vaccine in the House. The shortage came about as a result of problems with three vaccine shipments towards the end of 2006. The shortage was then described by the Minister as "temporary".

Until recently, the BCG vaccine was recommended for all newborn babies and it is usually administered to children during a short window between birth and the age of one month. Newborn babies have a natural immunisation up to the age of 12 weeks but after that they are exposed to infection by TB and other diseases. If there are significant vaccine shortages or delays, the possibilities for administering the vaccine during this 12-week period are greatly diminished. The first symptoms may not appear for up to 15 years, during which the infection can be passed on and this is of obvious concern to parents. The HSE has run several high profile campaigns to encourage greater immunisation. However, parents are completely confused as to what is the position and this calls into question the HSE's credibility. There is a risk of undoing all the good work undertaken on immunisation in recent years.

The incidence of TB in Ireland has been low for several decades but it has not been eradicated. There is no need to be alarmist about the possibility of a new TB pandemic, but we do not have a reason to be complacent. There have been isolated outbreaks of the disease in the recent past, for instance in Cork last year, while the incidence of TB infection has increased year on year in each of the past five years. The last dedicated TB hospital in the State, in Peamount, County Dublin, has been closed and that was a controversial decision.

Parents are understandably concerned about the lack of vaccines. The fact that the risk of infection is low is understood but they should be kept informed about what is happening. The Minister and the HSE have known about these problems for long enough. There is no good reason, a year after this came to light, the issue has not been resolved. I ask the Minister to get to grips with this as soon as possible to ensure no more children are put at risk.

It is emerging that the HSE's policy is to suspend BCG vaccinations. While there may be good reasons for that, parents and grandparents expect the vaccination for their newborn babies. They are being repeatedly informed about a continuous shortage of vaccines but they read in newspapers about cases of exposure to TB that must be addressed. Many immigrants are entering the State, some of whom come from countries with a higher incidence of TB. It is an extremely confusing scenario. The HSE needs to clarify whether there is a shortage of the BCG vaccine, which will be addressed given that the executive obtains all its supplies from one source, or whether a change in policy is under way by stealth whereby the State is moving away from BGC vaccination. If so, parents and public representatives need to be advised about what exactly is happening.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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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.