Vol. 488 No. 2
117 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children his Department's role in providing medical examinations and health care for recent refugees and asylum seekers and their families; if they are being offered immunisations; and if so, the number who have availed of hepatitis A and B immunisations in 1997. [6023/98]
144 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Health and Children his role in providing medical examinations and health care for newly arrived refugees and asylum seekers and their families; if these refugees and asylum seekers are being offered immunisations; and the number who have availed of hepatitis A and hepatitis B immunisations in 1997. [5891/98]
153 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health and Children his role in providing medical examinations and health care for recent refugees and asylum seekers and their families; if they are being offered immunisations; and the number who have availed of hepatitis A and B immunisations in 1997. [5909/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 117, 144 and 153 together.
The responsibility for providing medical examinations and health care for recent refugees and asylum seekers and their families lies in the first instance with the health boards.
I have been informed by the Eastern Health Board that a public health screening service for refugees-asylum seekers commenced in its Refugee Medical Centre on 1 December 1997. Screening for tuberculosis and hepatitis B is provided to refugees-asylum seekers from high incidence areas. Vaccination against diphtheria, BCG and hepatitis B is offered where indicated. The service does not screen for hepatitis A.
For the period 2 December 1997-30 January 1998, 264 people were screened for hepatitis B. The updating of immunisations is provided through the general practitioner service in the community.
