Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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462. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children that received the meningococcal B vaccine for free in 2016 and to date in 2017 respectively; the cost to the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32705/17]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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463. To ask the Minister for Health the cost to the State of administering the meningococcal B vaccine; the amount the State pays for each vaccine to the producer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32706/17]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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464. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children under 12 years of age and under five years of age respectively that have not received the meningococcal B vaccine. [32707/17]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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465. To ask the Minister for Health the cost of providing the meningococcal B vaccine to every child here under 12 years of age and under five years of age respectively. [32708/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 462 to 465, inclusive, together.

The HSE Service Plan included additional funding of €2.5 million for the expansion of the Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule in 2016. Two changes to the Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule were introduced on 1st December 2016 with the introduction of Meningococcal B (Men B) and Rotavirus for all babies born on or after 1st October, 2016. All vaccines administered through the Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule are provided free of charge. The Men B immunisation programme makes Ireland the second country in Europe to make the vaccine available free of charge as part of its national immunisation programme.

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 to introduce a catch-up programme for older children. No recommendation has been made concerning extension of the programme to other age groups.

As these questions relate to service matters, I have referred them to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.