asked the Minister for Health if he will state (1) the total number of persons (a) vaccinated against poliomyelitis since January, 1958, (b) at risk in age group 0 to ten, and (c) at risk in age group ten to 20, and (2) the percentage of those in groups (b) and (c), respectively, so far vaccinated.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Poliomyelitis Infection and Vaccination.
1. (a) In the period from 1st January to 30th September, 1958, under health authority schemes 68,401 persons received their first two injections of poliomyelitis vaccine and 16,463 persons received the first injection only. A further 43,947 persons who had already received their preliminary injections were given the third injection of the course. (b) The number of persons in the age group 0-ten years is 593,875. (c) The number of persons in the age group ten-20 years is 502,117.
2. Under schemes operated by health authorities during 1957 and 1958 7 per cent. of the age group 0-ten years have so far received the full course of three injections, 12 per cent. have received two injections only and 3 per cent. have received one injection only, making an overall total of 22 per cent. who have received one, two or three injections. These schemes have not been extended to categories beyond the age of ten (except in the case of expectant mothers and staffs of fever hospitals).
Figures are not available of the numbers of vaccinations of persons in these groups which were carried out privately.
In view of the failure of the Minister's scheme, as shown by these figures of the relatively small number of young people of susceptible age groups availing of it, would the Minister now reconsider his decision and introduce a free scheme on the lines of the diphtheria and T.B. vaccination schemes in order to try to increase the number of children coming forward for vaccination?
I do not think that would be the remedy. After all, free schemes have been in operation for a very large percentage of the population and they just have not availed of them.
I think the Minister is evading the question. I asked him if it is not a fact that in other countries where the free scheme has been operated there has been between 90 to 100 per cent. vaccination. In America and Great Britain, where the free principle was observed, practically universal vaccination has been achieved. The free principle is important——
Would the Deputy mind repeating the percentage?
In Great Britain, up to 100 per cent. in the early age groups. Because of this, they were able to extend it to the higher age groups.
I am sorry. My information is completely at variance with that.
What is the Minister's information?
I am told under 50 per cent.
Because of the high percentage of vaccination in the younger age groups, they have been able to extend it now to the higher age groups.
One might say that, because of the failure of the lower age groups to avail of it, they are now able to give it to the higher age groups.
asked the Minister for Health if he will state the total number of persons infected by poliomyelitis from 1st January, 1958, to the most recent date for which figures are available in (a) the State, (b) the City and County Borough of Dublin, (c) the City of Cork and (d) the City of Galway.
Notifications of cases of poliomyelitis in the period 1st January, 1958, to 11th October, 1958 were: (a) Whole country, 208; (b) Dublin County Borough, 72; (c) Cork County Borough, 1 and (d) Galway Borough, nil.
asked the Minister for Health if he will state the total number of persons infected by poliomyelitis who had (a) one injection against polio, (b) two injections and (c) a complete course, and the total number of persons infected with paralytic poliomyelitis.
Reports received in my Department indicate that paralytic poliomyelitis was contracted by five persons who had previously received one injection of poliomyelitis vaccine and by three persons who had received two injections of the vaccine. There is no record of the disease having been contracted by a person who had received the full course of three injections.
The number of persons who contracted paralytic poliomyelitis during 1957 was 148 and in the period from 1st January to 11th October, 1958, the number was 208.
asked the Minister for Health if he will state the number of persons in the middle income group who have received free anti-polio vaccination.
It is assumed that the Deputy's question relates to persons outside the lower income group but who nevertheless became eligible for the free poliomyelitis vaccination available to members of that group by reason of my recommendation to health authorities that a flexible approach be adopted in dealing with applications. As the operation of the anti-polio scheme has not yet been completed in certain areas, final returns of the numbers availing of the scheme will not be available until after the end of the calendar year. When furnishing their returns of the numbers availing of the scheme, health authorities will be asked to include information, if available, on the lines sought by the Deputy. I shall communicate with the Deputy when the information becomes available.