Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 240: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the steps she has taken to ensure that the vaccine for pneumonococcal meningitis is available for all parents who wish their children to avail of the protection such a vaccine would give; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16706/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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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.

The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) has recently completed a review of our immunisation schedule and the Chief Medical Officer of my Department has received the updated guidelines. These new guidelines include two important changes — the addition of hepatitis B and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines to the schedule. I have asked my officials to liaise with the Health Service Executive with a view to ensuring a timely and effective implementation of revised programme.