asked the Minister for Health his views on recent statements concerning the problems associated with the current child vaccine campaign for mumps, measles and rubella; the percentage of children vaccinated to date; the targets originally set out in this regard; and the further plans there are for this campaign.
Written Answers. - MMR Vaccine.
123.
It was, unfortunately, necessary for me to make a public statement recently in relation to misleading and inaccurate statements which had been made about the MMR campaign. The body concerned has in fact disassociated itself from those inaccurate statements and has declared itself fully supportive of the MMR programme.
The programme is focused on children aged 15 months to two years with the objective of achieving and maintaining at least a 90 per cent of the vaccination amongst this age group.
The vaccine is also being made available to children in the two to five age group with the objective of achieving at least a 90 per cent uptake in this group.
The programme of immunisation began in October 1988 and the target which I have set is to achieve a 90 per cent uptake in both groups by March 1990. Already a 31 per cent uptake has been achieved nationally in the primary target group while in some areas the uptake has been over 40 per cent and a 25 per cent uptake in the second group.
The media campaign associated with the programme is designed in three phases over the 18 months of the programme. The second phase is due to be launched in early March. The success of the media campaign is reflected in the excellent response from parents who have so far brought their children in for vaccination.
I have no doubt that we will achieve our vaccination target with the continued support of medical and health board staff and the professional bodies involved.