Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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543. To ask the Minister for Health if the Bexsero vaccine will be made available to prevent meningitis B; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41975/13]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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567. To ask the Minister for Health when a decision will be made regarding the introduction of a new vaccine for meningitis B; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42183/13]

Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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598. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the new vaccination against meningitis B, Bexsero, here; when a decision will be made as to whether this drug will be made available in this jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42428/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 543, 567 and 598 together.

The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The 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).

A Health Technology Assessment which includes a cost benefit analysis is carried out prior to any new vaccine being considered. This has a vital role in ensuring that care technologies, including vaccines, are used in a manner appropriate to their ability to maximise health gain and achieve value for money.

The are currently no plans to introduce Meningococcal group B (Meningitis B) vaccine in Ireland. However should the NIAC advice recommend its inclusion into the primary childhood immunisation programme in Ireland, my Department, in association with the Health Service Executive National Immunisation Office will examine the issue.