Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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137. To ask the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding meningitis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4125/15]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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140. To ask the Minister for Health if there is a timeframe to introduce the new vaccine against meningitis B and to make it freely available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4138/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 137 and 140 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.

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.

My Department has recently received a letter from the Chairman of NIAC regarding the introduction of the Meningitis B vaccine into the Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule. This matter will be considered by my Department.