Bernard Allen
Question:127 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the revised immunisation guidelines relating to meningitis vaccinations. [6442/00]
Written Answers. - Vaccination Programme.
The recently published immunisation guidelines for Ireland, prepared by the immunisation advisory committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, contain detailed advice for doctors in relation to the use of existing meningitis vaccines. They indicate that routine immunisation with the currently available meningococcal C vaccine is not recommended. However, this vaccine is recommended for use, where indicated, in outbreaks of group C meningococcal disease. They also note that group B organisms, against which there is no vaccine available, are the major cause of meningococcal disease in Ireland and that a considerable number of cases from group C organisms occur in children too young to be protected with presently available vaccines.
The guidelines note that it is expected that conjugate group C vaccines will become available in the near future and that these are effective and safe in those under two years of age. I anticipate that the committee will review its advice in relation to immunisation against meningitis when the first group C vaccine is licensed for use in Ireland.