Written answers

Wednesday, 20 March 2013

Department of Health

Vaccination Programme

Photo of Ann PhelanAnn Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the possibility of contracting narcolepsy from the flu vaccine in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if there are many persons here to whom this has happened; the number of persons; the reason he has ceased communication with the support group Sound which is working with victims of this affliction in County Kilkenny when support measure were promised as far back as April 2012. [13932/13]

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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a number of studies in European countries including Finland, Sweden and the United Kingdom, there is a reported association between vaccination against Pandemic H1N1 (2009) and subsequent development of narcolepsy. Ireland, the report of National Steering Committee on Narcolepsy (2012) concludes that an observed 13-fold increase in the incidence of narcolepsy in children/adolescents in Ireland since 2009 is associated with Pandemrix. The Irish Medicines Board has reported 42 such cases to my Department. My priority is to ensure that those affected by narcolepsy with symptom onset post pandemic vaccination are provided with services and supports to meet their health needs.

The HSE and the Department of Education and Skills together provide a comprehensive range of services and supports to those affected. These supports and services include access to rapid diagnosis, clear treatment pathways, temporary medical cards and reimbursement of expenses incurred. This includes expenses for counselling services for individuals and also for families of children affected by narcolepsy following pandemic vaccination, in cases where such services are not already available through the HSE. Multi-disciplinary assessments which allow for the appropriate individualised health and educational supports to be put in place are ongoing. The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) is also engaging with the HSE and with the individual schools and parents of children concerned to identify and provide educational supports for the children and adolescents affected.

Myself, officials from my Department and representatives from the HSE and the Department of Education and Skills have met representatives of the support group SOUND on a number of occasions to address their concerns and to outline the services available. The Health Service Executive advocacy unit is in regular contact with the support group SOUND. Through regional co-ordinators the HSE also has frequent contact with individual members of SOUND. My Department is considering all possible supports which may need to be put in place for those affected by Narcolepsy following pandemic vaccination. A further meeting with representatives from the support group will be arranged when the matter has been concluded.

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