asked the Minister for Health whether he has seen the report of the National BCG Committee that there was a discouraging overall decline in vaccinations against tuberculosis during 1961; and what steps it is proposed to take to improve the position.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tuberculosis Vaccinations.
18.
I have seen the report referred to by the Deputy. The number of BCG vaccinations carried out dropped from 71,733 in 1960 to 65,348 in 1961. The figure for 1960, however, was the highest recorded since the inauguration of the scheme in 1948 and, in fact, the 1961 figure compares favourably with the number of vaccinations in 1957, 1958 and 1959, viz. 63,371, 57,415 and 65,582 respectively.
I might mention that a satisfactory feature has been the steady increase each year in the number of children vaccinated in the first year of life. In 1957 the number was 11,619, in 1960 it was 20,196. In 1961 it had increased further to 23,123, practically double the 1957 figure.
The response to appeals to the public to avail themselves of the protection afforded by BCG vaccination depends on a number of factors not easy to influence by any special means. The need for sustained efforts on the part of the appropriate officers of health authorities in order to obtain maximum response is continuously impressed on those officers by my Department.