Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Health the feasibility of including a chicken pox vaccine in the national immunisation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4328/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

NIAC is a committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland comprising of experts in a number of specialties including infectious diseases, paediatrics and public health. The committee's recommendations are informed by public health advice, international best practice and by the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE). Varicella vaccination is currently recommended by the NIAC for at-risk groups including:

- Healthcare workers without a definite history of chickenpox, or proof of immunity, particularly those working with haematology, oncology, obstetrical, general paediatric or neonatal patients

- Laboratory staff who may be exposed to varicella virus in the course of their work

- Healthy susceptible close household contacts of immunocompromised patients.