Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her very full reply. I know that, like the Minister, Deputy Harris, she has been very strongly supportive of the Irish Cancer Society and appreciative of the need to ensure there is increased take-up of the vaccination programme. While I join the Minister of State in expressing sympathy to the girls who have experienced chronic fatigue syndrome, and indeed to the families of those girls, I emphasise that the evidence says there is no link between that syndrome and this vaccination. Previous unfounded scares about vaccination programmes have exposed children to risk of death from measles, for example. This is very worrying.

I thank the Minister of State for setting out the position in respect of the public information and awareness-raising campaign. On 20 November last, an article by Susan Mitchell in The Sunday Business Postoutlined some of the issues that have arisen at public meetings in Galway and Cork and pointed out that there is a strong campaign to dissuade parents from taking up the vaccine. I think that is regrettable. It is important for public information campaigns to continue so that there is more public awareness every time a vaccination programme is proposed in schools. I think another stage of vaccination is due to begin in the spring. I hope we will see further raising of public awareness then. I will keep in touch with the Irish Cancer Society and endeavour in my own way to try to ensure this important issue for women's health is kept under review. I thank the Minister of State again for taking the time to reply to me.