Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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257. To ask the Minister for Health if dedicated clinics for the provision of vaccinations for children is available on Toraigh, County Donegal; the locations children living on the island can receive immunisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17280/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The State has two childhood immunisation programmes - the Primary Childhood Immunisation Programme (PCIP) and the School Immunisation Programme (SIP).

The PCIP is administered by GPs to children in 5 visits between 2 and 13 months of age. It includes the 6 in 1 Vaccine (Diphtheria Tetanus Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Hib (Haemophilus influenzae b) Polio (Inactivated poliomyelitis) Hepatitis B), PCV (Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine), MenB Vaccine (Meningococcal B Vaccine), Rotavirus oral vaccine, MMR (Measles Mumps Rubella) and Hib/MenC (Haemophilus influenzae b and Meningococcal C combined vaccine). The full schedule is available on the HSE National Immunisation Office website - .

The School Immunisation Programme includes the administration of vaccines at both primary and second level. Children of 4-5 years of age receive the 4 in 1 booster to protect against diphtheria, polio, tetanus and whooping cough (pertussis); and a second dose of the MMR vaccine in primary school. These are normally given by a HSE doctor or nurse in the school to Junior Infants, except in Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal where they are given by GPs. All students in first year of second level schools are offered both a booster dose of the Meningococcal C (MenC) and Tdap (tetanus and low-dose diphtheria and pertussis) vaccines. Girls are also offered the HPV (Human Papilloma virus) vaccine, to protect against cervical cancer. These vaccines are normally administered by a HSE doctor or nurse in a school setting.

Children on Toraigh, County Donegal, can receive their PCIP vaccines from their GP and their SIP vaccines in the school setting from a GP, or HSE doctor or nurse.