Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Socialist Party)
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973. To ask the Minister for Health in view of the availability of such programmes in many countries including the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada, his plans to establish a vaccination programme to vaccinate against meningitis B, the most common form of meningitis here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31328/15]

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). 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 and international best practice.

The Department received a letter from the Chairman of NIAC regarding the introduction of the Meningitis B vaccine into the Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule. In this letter the committee recommends the inclusion of Meningococcal B vaccine in the primary immunisation programme, if the vaccine can be made available at a cost-effective price.

NIAC has issued guidance in relation to the use of the Meningococcal B vaccine in the control of clusters or outbreaks of the disease. The vaccine has been used in accordance with the NIAC guidance, along with other measures, to control outbreaks of the disease.

Immunisation policy is based on providing a safe, sustainable and cost-effective programme of immunisation. The Department of Health in conjunction with the HSE, is examining evidence based changes to the Primary Childhood and Schools Immunisation Schedule.

The HSE has been asked to engage with the manufacturer with a view to establishing whether a cost effective and sustainable price is achievable in Ireland without prejudice to the ultimate decision on whether the vaccine should be introduced or not. The resource implications of the introduction of any new vaccine will be considered in the context of the Estimates Process, the review of HSE vaccination services, engagement with the manufacturers, and the HSE Service Planning Process.