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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Jun 2000

Vol. 521 No. 4

Written Answers. - MMR Vaccination.

Deirdre Clune

Question:

161 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the uptake rate of MMR vaccination in the County Cork area is only 72%; the reason for such a low uptake; the plans, if any, he has to increase the uptake; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17268/00]

In view of the current primary immunisation uptake levels generally, my Department wrote to all the health boards requesting them to make every effort to achieve the national targets in this programme this year and to make particular efforts in relation to MMR. Among the issues which boards were asked to address were the need to undertake an analysis of the reasons for the unsatisfactory level of uptake, to ensure that immunisation databases are regularly validated, to address low uptake in the traveller population and to follow up unimmunised children. Boards have been asked to make every effort to devise strategies tailored to local needs, employing innovative approaches if considered necessary in order to achieve significant improvements in uptake.

On 31 May, at a meeting between officials of my Department and senior health board management, the importance of addressing the unsatisfactory uptake of MMR and other primary immunisations was again emphasised and all boards were asked to take the necessary measures to maximise uptake levels.

The Office for Health Gain has developed a new campaign to heighten public awareness about the importance of MMR immunisation and this was launched today.

With regard to an alleged link between the MMR vaccine and the development of certain conditions or disorders, I would like to reiterate that my Department has reviewed the available evidence and is satisfied that the MMR vaccine is a very safe and effective one. There is no evidence to support any link between the MMR vaccine and the subsequent development either of chronic inflammatory bowel disease or of autism and recently published studies in the UK and Europe have further confirmed this. Neither is there evidence that giving each of the component vaccines separately has any greater benefit than the combined vaccine.

The Southern Health Board has indicated to my Department that the factors contributing to the low level of uptake in its area are many and multifaceted, and include difficulties with following up unimmunised persons, the concern of some parents regarding the safety of the vaccine and some general practitioners not sending in immunisation returns. The board has also indicated that these factors are being examined and proposals to bring about an urgent improvement in the matter are under consideration.

I would like to take this opportunity strongly to urge parents in all areas of the country to ensure that their children receive the MMR vaccine, which is available free of charge from their family doctor. This will ensure maximum protection against measles, mumps and rubella for individual children and the population generally.

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