Written answers

Tuesday, 31 March 2015

Department of Health

Vaccination Programme

Photo of Tom FlemingTom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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484. To ask the Minister for Health if he will pursue the widest and earliest possible implementation of effective vaccines against all strains of meningitis and septicaemia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13136/15]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Meningococcal disease is a serious disease the incidence of which is falling in Ireland.  Ireland’s introduction of Meningococcal C and Pneumococcal vaccine programmes have reduced the burden of these diseases and Meningococcal B vaccine is currently being used to control outbreaks of Meningococcal B disease.

The HSE National Immunisation Office (NIO) has responsibility for the operation of the primary childhood immunisation programme in Ireland. The NIO runs regular media campaigns highlighting the importance of immunisation and has a dedicated website (www.immunisation.ie) which provides information tailored for public and professionals. Information is also available to download.

There are a number of vaccines which protect against meningitis and those used in Ireland include:

- Hib - Hib is part of the combined 6 in 1 vaccine that protects against diptheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Hib. This vaccine is recommended for babies at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. A Hib booster is offered at 13 months of age;

- MenC -MenC is currently offered to babies at 4, 6 and 13 months of age;

- Pneumococcal (PCV) - Pneumococcal vaccine is offered to babies at 2, 6 and 12 months of age;

- Viral MMR – MMR prevents against some forms of viral meningitis. MMR is recommended at 12 months of age with a booster given in school between the ages of 4 and 5 years; and

- MenB vaccine is used in the control of clusters or outbreaks of Meningococcal B disease.
My Department continues to monitor the development of new vaccines and immunisation strategies in relation to this disease. It recently received a letter from the Chairman of National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) regarding the introduction of the Meningitis B vaccine into the Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule. In this letter NIAC recommends the inclusion of Meningococcal B vaccine in the primary immunisation programme, if the vaccine can be made available at a cost-effective price. My Department is currently considering this recommendation.

The introduction of any new vaccine into the primary childhood immunisation schedule will be considered in the context of recommendations from NIAC, the outcome of cost- benefit analysis, the conclusions of the review of vaccination services currently being carried out, and resource availability.

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