Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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474. To ask the Minister for Health if he will confirm that the new vaccination schedule for the primary care immunisation programme which includes rotavirus and meningococcal B will commence on 1 December 2016; if agreement has been reached with all relevant parties for the implementation of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31950/16]

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 Programme (PCIP) in 2016. There will be two changes made to the programme with the introduction of Meningitis B and Rotavirus. Negotiations with the IMO concerning the administration fee are ongoing and it would be inappropriate for me to comment on them at this stage. It is still planned to introduce immunisation against Meningitis B and Rotavirus for all children born on, or after, 1 October 2016. The HSE is currently working on the necessary preparations for the introduction of these new vaccines. The introduction of Meningitis B into the PCIP will make Ireland the second country in Europe to make the vaccine available free of charge as part of its national immunisation programme.