Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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1393. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address concerns by a person (details supplied) regarding the availability of vaccinations for children at present here; if a catch-up programme is being planned by Government for children who miss out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25924/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The HSE Service Plan included additional funding of €2.5 million for the expansion of the Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule in 2016. There will be two changes made to the Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule later this year with the introduction of Men B and Rotavirus for all babies born on or after 1 October, 2016. The HSE is currently working on the necessary preparations for the introduction of these new vaccines. All vaccines administered through the Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule are provided free of charge. The Men B immunisation programme which starts in quarter 4 this year makes Ireland the second country in Europe to make the vaccine available free of charge as part of its national immunisation programme.

NIAC makes many recommendations in relation to “at risk groups” but not all of these are included in the current immunisation schedule. The introduction of the vaccine to the childhood immunisation programmes means that all children born on or after 1 October, 2016 will automatically receive the vaccine. However, there are no plans at this stage to introduce a catch-up programme for older children. Those who have a medical card are eligible to have the vaccine administered by their GP free of charge. However the purchase of the vaccine is not covered by the medical card scheme.