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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 11 May 1989

Vol. 389 No. 9

Written Answers. - NMMR Vaccination Campaign.

4.

asked the Minister for Health the current uptake of the NMMR vaccination campaign to date throughout the country; the cost of this campaign in total; if stocks of the vaccine ran out within a few weeks of the launch in October 1988 and supplies from the manufacturer were unavailable; what he considers as an acceptable level of uptake for the vaccination when the campaign is complete; and if this target is not reached, the alternative arrangements which will be made.

First, I would refer the Deputy to my written responses to his questions of 6 December 1988 and 21 February 1989 relating to the MMR vaccination programme.

To date the campaign has resulted in an uptake of in excess of 50 per cent nationally. However, I must point out that in relation to children reaching 15 months since the commencement of the campaign, the uptake is in excess of 60 per cent. As this group must be considered the priority group, the uptake is most satisfactory and augurs well for the success of the campaign.

It is estimated that the total cost of the campaign will be approximately £4 million. This includes the cost of the vaccine, the general practitioner fees and the cost of the publicity campaign run by the health promotion unit.

I am satisfied that sufficient supplies of MMR vaccine are available to all health boards to meet the demand for vaccination from the identified target groups of children. However, due to the unprecedented success of the Department's media campaign there was a significant demand for vaccination among children over five years in some areas in the weeks following the launch of the campaign and this resulted in some local shortages. Steps were taken to alleviate those shortages and I am satisfied that adequate supplies of vaccine are now available.

It is the objective of this campaign to achieve an uptake of 90 per cent within the target population. Anything less than this would be regarded by me as being unacceptable. In the unlikely event of this target not being reached, the situation will be thoroughly examined and whatever action necessary to achieve the desired level of uptake will be taken. I would say, however, that the situation is under constant review within my Department, in consultation with health boards and the Irish College of General Practitioners. This continuous monitoring will enable any likely shortfall or decline in uptake to be foreseen and remedial action to be promptly taken.

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