Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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170. To ask the Minister for Health the number of cases of meningitis B there have been in County Kerry on a yearly basis by age; when will the vaccine be rolled out as part of the vaccination programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1923/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The number of cases of Meningitis B in County Kerry on a yearly bases by age is not held by my Department. I have asked the Health Service Executive to collate this information and send directly to the Deputy.

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.

NIAC has issued guidance in relation to the use of the Meningitis B vaccine in the control of clusters or outbreaks of Meningococcal B disease. Deliberations regarding the introduction of the Meningococcal B vaccine into the primary immunisation schedule continue.