Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour)
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367. To ask the Minister for Health if a decision has been reached regarding the use 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. [6839/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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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 a cost effective analysis conducted by the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics.

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.

Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour)
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368. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide for each of the years, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, the number of recorded cases of meningitis B in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6840/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The number of cases of Meningitis B in County Waterford for the past five years is not held by my Department. I have asked the Health Service Executive to collate this information and send directly to the Deputy.

If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.