Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to raise the important issue of the lack of provision of the BCG vaccine in the Cork area to prevent tuberculosis. I am aware of recent national difficulties regarding the supply of the BCG vaccine which arose due to technical difficulties in the manufacturing laboratory that provides the vaccine in Europe. This problem has since been resolved and is not related to the issue I raise.

The problem in Cork was highlighted last year when 17 cases of tuberculosis were diagnosed in the months of March, April and May. While two of the cases involved adults, the balance involved young children in two crèches, one in Little Island and the other in Douglas. As a result of the marked increase in the notification figures, 132 children attending the private crèche facilities in question were given antibiotics as a preventative measure. This created considerable anxiety, worry, frustration and anger among parents who had placed their children in facilities under the regulatory control of the health authorities.

At the time the children contracted tuberculosis, many people were not aware that the BCG vaccine was not being administered in the Cork region for historical reasons. Subsequently, it was decided to administer the vaccine to newborn babies and young children in the Cork area. This welcome change in policy meant that as of October 2007, the vaccination was made available to all newborn babies in the area and take-up was substantial.

According to figures provided to a regional health forum last week, 9,654 children were waiting for a BCG vaccination as of 1 April 2008. Those on the waiting list include many active children who are attending crèche and pre-school facilities, sitting in trolleys in supermarkets or engaging in other activities. These children need the vaccine and their parents want them to have it but find their local health care providers are unable to offer it. Vulnerable children deserve the support of the health services in their area to ensure they are protected against tuberculosis, particularly when they are out and about in the community.

Until last year, it was not considered necessary to provide the BCG vaccination. The health authorities have now recognised the need to provide the vaccination to newborn babies and younger children. Despite the commitment to provide the vaccine, almost 10,000 people are on the waiting list. How does the Department propose to deal with the waiting list? What provisions are being put in place to administer the vaccine? Are sufficient clinicians available to administer it? When will the necessary infrastructure be in place to provide the vaccine?

The lack of BCG vaccination facilities in Cork is extremely worrying and frustrating for parents. Many parents have made alternative arrangements for their children, giving addresses of relatives in Waterford, Dublin or Kerry in order to have their children vaccinated in these areas. The vaccine must be made available in the area in which people reside. While the local health authorities have made a commitment to provide it, we have no idea when the vast waiting list will be tackled. I ask the Minister of State to provide answers.

Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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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.