asked the Minister for Health if he has received a request for compensation from the Irish Association of Parents of Vaccine-Damaged Children; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
16.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Vaccine-Damaged Children.
15.
andMr. Gogan asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange for compensation to be paid in the case of children who have become permanently brain-damaged as a result of the whooping cough vaccination programme.
17.
andMr. Allen asked the Minister for Health if he has investigated the claims of the 38 children who suffered permanent brain damage as a result of the Government-supported 3-in-1 vaccination programme on whooping cough; and the compensation he proposes to make in these cases.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to reply to Questions Nos. 15, 16 and 17, together. I have received a request from the Irish Association of Parents of Vaccine-Damaged Children for compensation for cases of alleged vaccine damage. I have met with representatives of the association and had the individual reports, submitted in respect of the children concerned, examined in detail by medical officers of my Department. I replied on the 19th February, 1976, indicating that the information furnished in the reports did not establish that the condition of any of the children was the outcome of vaccination. No further evidence has since been submitted by the association in refutation of that conclusion. I understand, however, that legal actions are contemplated in the case of a number of the children and I do not, therefore, wish to say anything further at this time.
Did the Minister say he met the representatives of the association?
I did.
This problem is not confined to Ireland. If sufficient evidence is put before the Minister that the damage to these children resulted from the use of this vaccine will he act then?
That is a hypothetical question. I propose to meet the parents in the very near future and I would not like to commit myself until I have discussed the matter with them. As I said, it appears legal actions are contemplated and it would not be appropriate for me to comment one way or the other at this stage.
Would the Minister agree that he should publicise the merits of this programme and let people know the good far outweights the danger? Would he also ensure that adequate steps are taken in the case of the few who suffer as a result of this programme?
The Department continue to recommend the three-in-one vaccination under the usual conditions where the vaccinating doctors take the case history and apprise the parents of the non-contrary indications. CMOs have been made well aware of this and have passed the information to the the various medical officers. Because of the scare, so to speak, I should emphasise that fewer are presenting themselves for vaccination and as a result of that deaths from whooping cough have increased in the last few years. I do not think anyone would like to see that situation continue. The effects of whooping cough can be very, very grave. The disease can affect various organs of the body. With regard to those children whom, it is alleged, have suffered damage as a result of vaccination, I propose, as I said, to meet the parents. I met a deputation in May, 1975, and representatives of the association undertook to submit reports on cases of alleged vaccine damage. There were 30 reports altogether and, from an examination of these reports by the medical officers in my Department, there could be no suggestion that the vaccine was responsible for the condition of the 30 children.