Written answers

Wednesday, 31 January 2007

Department of Health and Children

Vaccination Programme

8:00 am

Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 618: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if the Government will introduce pneumococcal vaccination for children in line with routine pneumococcal vaccinations commencing in Britain and Northern Ireland from 1 April 2007 to minimise the instance of the potentially pneumococcal meningitis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3312/07]

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 623: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure that Ireland does not leave its young people at risk from pneumococcal meningitis; and if she will introduce this vaccination onto the childhood immunisation schedule without delay. [43732/06]

Photo of Olivia MitchellOlivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 648: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the plans in place or envisaged to introduce an immunisation scheme for pneumococcal meningitis similar to the UK, US and Canada; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1030/07]

Photo of John McGuinnessJohn McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 676: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if pneumococcal meningitis vaccination will be introduced on the childhood immunisation schedule; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1195/07]

Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 785: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when she expects the National Immunisation Advisory Committee to have made a decision on the introduction to the routine childhood immunisation schedule of the vaccine for pneumococcal disease; her views on whether this immunisation is necessary, leaving children here in a vulnerable position; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1908/07]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 618, 623, 648, 676 and 785 together.

Ireland's recommended immunisation programme is based on the guidelines of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (NIAC). Vaccines are continually evolving and guidelines change given the nature of these developments.

The Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland currently recommend vaccination against pneumococcal disease only for persons who are at increased risk of the disease and its complications, particularly for those with: asplenia or severe dysfunction of the spleen, including surgical splenectomy; chronic renal disease or nephrotic syndrome; chronic heart, lung or liver disease illness including cirrhosis; diabetes mellitus; sickle cell disease; immunodeficiency or immunosuppression due to disease or treatment, including HIV infection at all stages; patients with CSF leaks, either congenital or complicating skull fracture or neurosurgery; and persons aged 65 years or older.

The inclusion of the pneumococcal vaccine in the Primary Childhood Immunisation Programme is being considered by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee as part of its review of the immunisation guidelines. No decision has yet been reached. My Department and the Health Service Executive will be guided by the expert advice from the NIAC in this regard.

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