Vol. 447 No. 1
292 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the measures, if any, he proposes to take to reassure parents in respect of the use of MMR vaccines in view of the recent publicity with regard to the treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3047/94]
I presume that the Deputy is referring to recent media reports concerning the original development of the rubella vaccine.
The rubella vaccine used in this country's vaccination programme is produced by growing the rubella virus on cells known as MRC5 cells. The MRC5 cell line was developed originally by the Medical Research Council in the UK in 1970 from cells taken from the lung tissue of a therapeutically aborted foetus. I am assured that since that time, no new foetal tissue has been used in relation to the vaccine used in Ireland.
The Department of Health Rubella Immunisation Programme is designed to prevent Congenital Rubella Syndrome in new-born childen. If rubella is contracted during pregnancy, there is a high risk of the infant being born with a range of congenital abnormalities, such as heart disease, mental handicap, deafness and eye problems (including blindness), and it may even result in death.
Approximately 750,000 children have been immunised against rubella in Ireland since 1971. Since 1988 the rubella vaccine has been administered as part of the MMR vaccination. It is given to children at 15 months of age and, in schools, to children aged 10-14 years.
The foregoing information was conveyed in the press release which I issued in October. I would again like to emphasise the need for parents to have their children immunised against rubella.
