Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Jun 1998

Vol. 492 No. 2

Written Answers. - Immunisation Programme.

Deirdre Clune

Question:

115 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has to locate infants who have not been introduced to the general practitioner based primary immunisation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13780/98]

Deirdre Clune

Question:

116 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children the way in which he proposes to address the fact that the primary immunisation scheme has not reached its full potential; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13781/98]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 115 and 116 together.

The operation of the national primary childhood immunisation programme is a matter in the first instance for the individual health boards which enter into contracts with general practitioners for the delivery of the service. The aim of the programme is to achieve an uptake level of 95 per cent and so eradicate the diseases in question.

The most recent figures from the eight health boards indicate that uptake levels for completed DPT immunisation among children aged 12-18 months range from 68 per cent to 88 per cent. Where the uptake of immunisation among particular groups or in geographical areas is unacceptably low, the health board, which is statutorily responsible for the control of infectious diseases, may take whatever measures are required to achieve and maintain immunisation uptake.

One of the main difficulties in the operation of the new system was the non-co-operation of public health nurses. Following negotiations between the Department and the INO, this issue has been resolved. The technical steering group, established to provide a mechanism for resolving any outstanding issues arising in the implementation of the new programme, is being reconstituted as an advisory group comprising representatives from the Irish Medical Organisation, the Irish Nurses' Organisation, the health boards and the Department. The advisory group's remit will be to advise on all service issues related to the immunisation programme, particularly in relation to uptake levels. Specifically, it will advise on the maximisation of uptake levels in particular geographical areas and among identified groups within the community, with a view to maximising all professional contributions to the primary childhood immunisation programme.