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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 16 Nov 2000

Vol. 526 No. 2

Written Answers. - Immunisation Programme.

Bernard Allen

Question:

95 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the meningitis C immunisation programme has been thrown into turmoil following the issuing of legal advice that a general practitioner cannot refuse to immunise young people outside the Phase 1 target group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26170/00]

I have been informed by the health boards that the immunisation campaign to protect against group C meningococcal disease is progressing well. General practitioners are providing the vaccine to the under five age group and health board teams are undertaking vaccination of 15-18 year olds in post-primary schools. Vaccination of third-level students is also proceeding. There is no difficulty in relation to vaccine supply. While it is as yet too early to establish the precise level of uptake being achieved, preliminary indications are that uptake is good.

The meningococcal C immunisation campaign is the single biggest immunisation programme ever undertaken. When completed up to 1.3 million people will have been immunised. A programme of this scale required careful planning and implementation. It is being implemented over a 12 to 18 month period. It was decided those most vulnerable to infection should be immunised first, that is, babies and children up to the age of four and young people aged 15-18 years. In response to inquiries, the Office for Health Gain obtained legal advice on how family doctors should deal with any cases where they were asked to vaccinate children outside the initial priority groups. The health boards were informed by the Office for Health Gain of the advice received. This matter is an operational one for the Office for Health Gain and the health boards in the first instance. I understand from the Office for Health Gain that the Irish Medical Organisation and the Irish College of General Practitioners have responded positively to the initiative taken in this regard.

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