Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Health his views on whether his Department should follow the American example in that all children must have all vaccinations before starting school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47715/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Ireland's recommended immunisation programme is based on the guidelines of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. The objective of the Primary Childhood Immunisation Programme is to achieve an uptake level of 95%, the rate recommended by the World Health Organization, required to provide population immunity and to protect children, and the population generally, from the potentially serious diseases concerned. Since 2011 this 95% rate has been achieved for 6 in 1 vaccination. This protects children against Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio Hepatitis B and Haemophilous Influenzae type b. It is not the Government’s intention to make vaccinations mandatory.