Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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446. To ask the Minister for Health the reason for the delays in accessing the meningitis B vaccine; the reason high risk groups have not been prioritised, leading to a situation whereby children most susceptible will now have to purchase the vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39657/16]

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. Two changes were made to the Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule which came into effect on 1 December, 2016 with the introduction of Men B and Rotavirus for all babies born on or after 1 October, 2016. All vaccines administered through the Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule are provided free of charge. Ireland is 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, including those in "at risk groups", 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.