Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 178: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if supplies of the BCG vaccine are available following difficulties with the provision of the vaccine at the end of 2007; the timescale for when she expects the backlog of vaccinations that built up while the vaccine was unavailable to be cleared; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12939/08]

Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 213: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason the BCG vaccine for babies is no longer available to parents who wish to have their children vaccinated; and the actions parents should take. [13246/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 178 and 213 together.

I understand from the Health Service Executive (HSE) that, owing to regulatory difficulties experienced by the manufacturer of the BCG vaccine, there was a shortage of the vaccine from late 2007. This was a Europe-wide problem as the manufacturer in question is the only company which supplies the vaccine to the European Market. Unfortunately, it is not possible to stockpile the vaccine as it has a very short shelf life. These difficulties have now been resolved and new stocks of licensed vaccine are now available.

I understand from the HSE that clinics have now resumed and that parents of any baby who has not received BCG vaccine will be contacted by their Local Health Office with an appointment to receive the vaccine.