Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

140. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding supplies of childhood vaccines; if he is satisfied that the HSE has sufficient quantities to administer the BCG, MMR, Hib MenC and 6-in-1, in particular, in a timely manner; his views on whether the situation regarding these vaccines in the past few years has been satisfactory; and the steps taken to overcome shortages where they have existed. [32456/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The procurement of vaccines for the childhood immunisation programmes is a matter for the HSE.

As Deputies are aware, the HSE has had difficulties sourcing supplies of one of the childhood vaccines which has led to a suspension of the programme until new supplies of the vaccine can be obtained. There is currently a worldwide shortage of BCG vaccine and the vaccine has not been available in Ireland since the end of April 2015. The only one licensed supplier of BCG vaccine to Ireland has had difficulties in the production of the BCG vaccine. The manufacturer has informed the HSE there will be no supply of BCG until 2017. Consequently, BCG vaccination clinics in HSE Clinics and Maternity hospitals have been postponed until new stock arrives.

Since this problem became apparent, the HSE National Immunisation Office has been in regular contact with the manufacturer of BCG vaccine to ascertain when the vaccine might be available. The HSE has also asked the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), which licenses and regulates all human medicines in Ireland, to source an alternate supplier of the BCG vaccine.  Efforts have been made to find a company who can provide the vaccine for use in Ireland which satisfies all the HPRA requirements on safety and efficacy. To date no suitable alternative BCG product has been found. Therefore the HSE has been unable to procure the BCG vaccine from any other source and still awaits the product from the HPRA licensed supplier of the vaccine. When there is confirmation of the date of new supply a decision will be made, guided by the recommendations of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee, on who should be prioritised to receive the vaccine.

I have not been informed of any difficulties in procuring supplies of any of the other vaccines referred to in the question. However, as the procurement of vaccines is a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.