Bernard Allen
Question:210 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has to set up a new working group to oversee the country's immunisation programme; and, if so, the terms of reference of this group. [13586/00]
Written Answers. - Immunisation Programme.
Operational responsibility for the primary childhood immunisation programme lies with the individual health boards, which have appropriate regional and local management structures in place. My Department also monitors the operation of the programme nationally and, as necessary, communicates with the health boards about issues which may arise from time to time. I have no plans to establish a separate national body to oversee the programme.
At my Department's request, the chief executive officers of the health boards have established a multi-disciplinary national group to plan for the introduction of the new meningococcal group C vaccine, which is expected to be licensed in Ireland later this year. The vaccine will be incorporated into the primary childhood immunisation programme and will also be given to older children and young people in a "catch-up" programme. A national influenza committee has also recently been established to consider the measures necessary to address both a possible influenza pandemic and more regular outbreaks of influenza. This includes in its remit immunisation policy in relation to influenza.