Vol. 474 No. 6
93 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Health the immunisation circumstances under which immunoglobulins are used under the general medical service; the plans, if any, he has to review such use in view of recent history and the expert view on page 11 of the Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland booklet published by the National Immunisation Committee, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3533/97]
Limerick East): Human immunoglobulins are prepared from pooled plasma of blood donors who are negative to hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV antibodies. Immunoglobulins contain antibodies to a range of viruses such as measles, hepatitis A and other prevalent viruses. They may be given as an immediate preventive measure to close contacts of persons who are diagnosed as being infected with such viruses if the doctor considers it clinically necessary. An example would be where a person whose immune system is compromised comes in close contact with a person who has measles and where infection with this virus could have serious consequences for the immunocompromised person.
As with all medical interventions, the final decision as to whether immunoglobulins should be given is one to be taken by the doctor and the fully informed patient. As recommended in the Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland and referred to by the Deputy the need to get expert advice from a consultant paediatrician, infectious disease consultant or specialist in public health medicine should be taken into account in arriving at a decision. This recommendation arises from a recent review carried out by a committee of experts under the auspices of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland and whose report I have accepted.
