Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 64: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the options which are available to persons who wish to give their children separate vaccinations for measles, mumps and rubella rather than the 3 in 1; if the single mumps vaccine can be acquired here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32838/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC), which was established by the Royal College of Physicians. The advice of the Committee is informed by sound public health advice and international best practice. The National Immunisation Advisory Committee recommends that children living in Ireland receive two doses of MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine with the first dose at 12 months and the second dose at 4 to 5 years of age.

The MMR vaccine is the only vaccine available in Ireland for measles, mumps and rubella. There are no single antigen rubella, measles or mumps vaccines marketed for use in Ireland at this time. It may be possible to source them from other countries but they would be unlicensed for use here and hence the Irish Medicines Board cannot stand over their quality, safety or efficacy. The IMB's function is to licence medicinal products (including vaccines) where an application has been made. In these circumstances, it would be permissible for a doctor or an individual to import a vaccine even though it may not be licensed by the Irish Medicines Board. However I should stress that as an unlicensed medicine, the safety, quality or efficacy of the product in question will not have been established in accordance with established Irish and European norms. Under European Community law, any such unauthorised medicinal products may only be supplied "in response to a bona fide unsolicited order, formulated in accordance with the specifications of an authorised health - care professional and for use by an individual patient under his direct personal responsibility."