Vol. 522 No. 3
32 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps that are being taken to deal with the continued problem of measles in view of the continued large number of cases being reported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18533/00]
In view of the current primary immunisation up-take levels generally, my Department wrote earlier this year to all of 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 were 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 health boards indicate that a range of measures is being adopted to improve MMR uptake. Among such initiatives are the following: awareness campaigns being conducted at local level involving press releases and local radio interviews; reminders being issued to parents of children who have not received MMR vaccination; the appointment of senior public health nurses with responsibility for maximising immunisation; traveller families being targeted for immunisation advice and information; and informing crèches and pre-school facilities of the importance of immunisation.
A new campaign developed by the office for health gain to heighten public awareness about the importance of MMR immunisation is currently being run.
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.
