Vol. 481 No. 3
36 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has received from a company (details supplied) the comprehensive report on vaccine trials involving children, including some in children's homes, which he told Dáil Éireann on 10 July 1997 he was seeking; if so, the main points of any such report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15926/97]
I confirm that some additional information has been received by my Department from the company concerned and also from various health boards in whose areas the vaccinations concerned are reported to have taken place. I have asked my officials to carry out an evaluation of the information now available in order to establish if it is sufficient to provide a complete picture of the events in question. Following this evaluation, as full a report as possible on the matter will be compiled and a copy of this will be made available to the Deputy. I would again take this opportunity to reassure Deputies that, as I stated to the House on 10 July 1997, the administration of the vaccine to the children concerned was not experimental but that the studies were carried out as part of the normal schedule of childhood vaccinations at that time.
