Dáil debates
Wednesday, 5 April 2017
Topical Issue Debate
Vaccination Programme
4:15 pm
Kate O'Connell (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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I consider this a very important issue in light of the World Health Organization's warning last week about the drop in MMR vaccination rates across Europe and large outbreaks of measles happening across the Continent. The greatest numbers are being seen in Italy and Romania. In light of Brexit, it is important to point out that viruses are not in any way aware of borders. It is important we have good vaccination policy in this country.
There is a responsibility on us as elected members to dispel some of the myths that are out there. We are what has been described as a post-knowledge economy. There is much information available to us but we are seeing the work of someone on Wikipedia having the same status as information and science from a reputable agency. There is a rise in populism and emerging mistrust of scientific facts. We have excellent research in Ireland and across Europe. It is worth noting that a significant amount of taxpayers' money is spent in this country and in Europe on scientific research. There seems to be an issue with disseminating the information from the scientific and research field to the public. It is our duty as elected representatives as well as that of those in the Department of Health to try to get the message out.
It is funny to hear of ridiculous studies in some publications that outline the positive effects of red wine, chocolate or sex on one's longevity when real scientific facts and strong scientific data that have been peer reviewed and assessed as being fact seem to be lost. Vaccinations prevent many diseases. Notably, these days the issues surround the MMR vaccine, which I am referring to specifically today, as well as other vaccines such as the human papillomavirus, HPV, vaccine. On measles, we need approximately 95% coverage to get what is called herd immunity. If we start to drop below that level, we will get measles outbreaks. We spend much time in this Chamber discussing issues such as waiting lists and hospital bed waits but, if we have a measles outbreak in Ireland, we will have something far more serious than capacity in our health service on our hands. Anyone who was around when measles were around knows that it can cause deafness, blindness and death. It is a very serious illness. Over the passage of time, sometimes people forget how serious are these issues.
Back in the day, in 1796, which was 220 years ago, Edward Jenner took from cattle the cowpox vaccine and started to give it to humans. This was deemed heresy and there were cartoons published at the time depicting people with animal heads. In my view, we are kind of heading back to that situation, so it is important that we as elected representatives and the Department do not lionise ignorance or applaud conspiracy theories that would do anything to harm public health.
Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy O’Connell for raising this extremely important issue and giving me the opportunity to update the House on the matter. I am taking this on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris.
The announcement by the World Health Organization concerning the increase in measles outbreaks in Europe has brought this issue to the attention of the media and the wider public. However, we were already aware of the issue and had been taking appropriate response measures. The European Centres for Disease Prevention and Control, ECDC, issued a rapid risk assessment concerning the risk of spread of measles and sustained transmission in EU countries related to an ongoing outbreak in Romania on 3 March 2017. It noted measles outbreaks in a number of EU countries in 2016 and the continued increase in the number of cases this year. It also noted that outbreaks in three other EU countries have been linked to the current one in Romania.
Actions have been taken at both EU and national level. The EU Health Security Committee met on 10 March to discuss the outbreaks and to ensure a co-ordinated response across member states. The ECDC continues to monitor the situation and can provide technical assistance to the member states if needed. The health system in Ireland is aware of the outbreak and has put in place measures to identify any threat and treat any cases.
The HSE health protection surveillance centre circulated an update on 28 March to departments of public health as well as general practitioners, consultants in infectious diseases, emergency medicine and microbiology and other health professionals. This notification provided an update on the risk of measles in Europe and the risk of importation into Ireland, and reminded health professionals of what to do if they encounter suspected cases of measles.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control's rapid risk assessment noted that immunisation is the only effective preventative measure against acquiring measles. Immunisation against measles was introduced in Ireland in 1985 and from 1988 onwards, the MMR vaccine was used to replace the single measles vaccine. The vaccine is included in the primary childhood immunisation programme, with the first dose given at 12 months and the second dose given at between four and five years of age. It can also be given at any age to those who need it for travel for work or to protect vulnerable children or adults.
Immunisation rates in Ireland remain high. Vaccination rates for MMR at 24 months were 93% in 2015 and have been above 90% since 2008. I note the Deputy's point in this regard. The MMR vaccination rate is slightly lower than 95%, standing at 92% in the third quarter of 2015. Vaccination rates fell when links between MMR and autism were first reported in the 1990s. At that time, people falsely linked the development of autism with MMR but, as the Deputy noted, these claims have been fully discredited.
More than 500 million doses of MMR have been used in more than 90 countries around the world since the early 1970s. The World Health Organization recognises MMR as a highly effective vaccine with an outstanding safety record. Although uptake rates are high, we must not be complacent. A number of imported cases of measles were recorded in Ireland last year. The only protection against the condition is vaccination and I encourage all children, teenagers and young adults who have not been immunised with MMR to protect themselves by getting this important vaccine. I concur with Deputy O'Connell that all public representatives must play their part in ensuring people get this message.
4:25 pm
Kate O'Connell (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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The Minister of State's reply was reassuring, although I am concerned that the vaccination rate stands at 92%. We will be in serious trouble if it falls much further.
Andrew Wakefield, a discredited doctor, is taking part in a roadshow that will soon visit this country. It is important that a message is sent to parents that the study carried out by this individual was completely discredited and he was struck off the register of medical practitioners in the United Kingdom. Mr. Wakefield is due to visit Ireland on tour with his anti-vaccine story. These anti-vaccine campaigners prey on vulnerable people and public concerns. Clearly, no one wants to give a child anything that is perceived as doing harm. It is important that public representatives and the Department of Health get the message across to parents that the individual in question, who bizarrely continues to use his title, has been discredited. I thought witch doctors and magic spells had gone out with the Dark Ages.
We must work hard to increase the MMR vaccination rate to 95% because if it falls much further from the current rate of 92%, the concept of herd immunity will be lost and we and the rest of Europe will have a problem with the spread of infectious diseases. As the Minister stated, the way to deal with the problem is to vaccinate children.
Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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We must counter any suggestions by doctors, particularly those who have been discredited, that the MMR vaccine is harmful. Last year's outbreak, when almost 50 cases of measles were recorded in May and June, demonstrates the need to continue to send out a message on this issue and try to increase the MMR vaccination rate to 95% or higher. In that regard, the Health Service Executive continues to try to increase all vaccination rates, including MMR. Ongoing training is provided for health professions and meetings take place with key stakeholders, including the Department of Education and Skills and school management bodies. Articles have been placed in magazines directed at parents and various health professions. Specifically on MMR, letters have been sent to all language and summer schools as well as the Central Applications Office highlighting measles outbreaks in Europe and the importance of the MMR vaccination. Activities are also planned for European immunisation week, which runs from 24 until 30 April, to highlight measles outbreaks in Europe and the importance of the vaccination. Significant work remains to be done in this matter on which we must not become complacent. I thank Deputy O'Connell again for raising this matter.