Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

2213. To ask the Minister for Health if exceptions exist to facilitate children (details supplied) that were due to be born after 1 October 2024 when the Chickenpox vaccine was added to the Children's immunisation schedule but were instead born premature to receive the vaccine free of charge; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45129/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). NIAC continue to revise its recommendations having regard to of the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation.  

It should be noted that the ages at which vaccines are recommended in the immunisation schedule are chosen by NIAC in order to give each child the best possible protection against vaccine preventable diseases.

As NIAC made a recommendation to include varicella in the programme, the Department of Health asked HIQA to carry out a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) on the Varicella Zoster Vaccine which was published on July 13th 2023.

HIQA found that there is clear and consistent evidence that the chickenpox vaccine is both safe and effective in preventing chickenpox and its complications. It also found that adding the chickenpox vaccine to the programme is likely to be cost effective.

The varicella vaccine was added to the Primary Childhood Immunisation Programme for those children born on and after 1 October 2024 and will comprise of 2 doses:

• dose 1 will be offered when they are 12 months old
• dose 2 will be offered when they are in junior infants at school

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

2214. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the implementation of alcohol labelling; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45136/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In May 2023, the Minister for Health signed into law the (Alcohol) (Labelling) Regulations and commenced section 12 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act to come into operation three years later.

In light of economic circumstances, the Government decided on 22 July 2025 to delay the implementation of the measure for two years from 2026 to 2028. No other changes are being made to the underpinning legislation and it will now come into operation 3 September 2028.