Vol. 433 No. 7
21 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Health if his Department have figures to show the frequency of hospital admissions for travelling children and the take up of immunisation programmes by travelling children under six years.
50 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Health if his Department have figures to show the frequency of hospital admissions for travelling children and the takeup of immunisation programmes by travelling children under six years.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 50 together. The question of necessary improvements to our vaccination programme is being considered as part of the overall health strategy currently being prepared in my Department including the question of targeting groups with special needs. Information regarding the take up of immunisation programmes by travelling children under six years has not been routinely collected to date. Admission to public hospitals is based on medical need and accordingly the social or economic background of the patient is not a factor.
