Written Answers. - Vaccination Programme.
John Gormley
Question:
93
Mr. Gormley
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
if he is considering measures to ensure higher immunisation rates, such as not allowing children who have not been vaccinated to attend school; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[14874/01]
Michael D. Higgins
Question:
116
Mr. M. Higgins
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
the level of take up for the MMR vaccine; if he has satisfied himself with the level of take up; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[14810/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 116 together.
Operational responsibility for the various immunisation programmes lies with the individual health boards, which have appropriate regional and local management structures in place to manage the delivery of the immunisation programme. My Department also monitors the operation of the programme nationally.
Uptake rates for childhood immunisations are compiled by the National Disease Surveillance Centre, NDSC. The NDSC has indicated that current uptake rates for the period 1 January-31 December, 2000 are as follows:
|
Vaccine
|
% uptake
|
|
DTaP/DTHibPolioMMR
|
86858679
|
The meningococcal C immunisation programme commenced in October 2000 with the objective of immunising the population up to 22 years of age. Phase 1 of the programme targeted those at greatest risk, that is, children under five years and young persons aged 15-18 years. This phase of the campaign is now almost complete. The success of the programme is reflected in data provided by the National Disease Surveillance Centre which indicates a significant reduction in group C meningococcal disease notifications over the past seven months since the launch of the campaign. In the period October 2000 to April 2001, 26 cases of group C meningitis were reported in children aged under 5 years and young persons aged 15-18 years, the target groups for phase 1 of the campaign, compared with 61 cases in these groups over the same period in the previous year. This represents a 57% reduction which is very significant and highlights the importance and success of the campaign to date. The marked reduction in group C is attributable to the vaccine and it is gratifying to see a reduction in cases at this early stage of the campaign. Phase 2 of the programme commenced in March and is targeting primary school children as a priority.
Primary immunisation uptake still falls short of the target. Special efforts are being made in the current year by the health boards to achieve the national target of 95% which is required to provide immunity to the population at large. Additional funding was provided in 2001 to the health boards to develop strategies to address the uptake problems on a national basis. The following issues need to be addressed in order to meet the target uptake rate: analysis of reasons for low uptake; validation of immunisation databases; ensuring that appropriate regional and local management arrangements are in place; devising strategies tailored to local needs, employing innovative approaches where considered necessary; improving immunisation uptake among Travellers; and follow-up of unimmunised children.
With regard to MMR immunisation, the health boards intensified their MMR immunisation programmes following the measles outbreak, over 1,500 cases, which occurred in 2000. Among the efforts made in this regard were: the identification and follow-up of unimmunised children; the targeting of "black spots" and vulnerable groups; requesting general practitioners to make special efforts to promote this vaccine to parents; contacting parents, schools and pre-schools to emphasise the importance of this vaccination; national and local media awareness campaigns on MMR vaccination.
There is some public concern about vaccine safety and this is felt to be a significant factor in the unsatisfactory uptake. All of the expert advice available to my Department indicates that the vaccines used in the childhood immunisation programme and indeed vaccines generally used in this country, are safe and effective. My Department will continue to monitor the situation in relation to these issues at both national and international level.
In addition, the chief executive officers of the health boards have established a National Immunisation Steering Committee, which is addressing a wide range of issues relating to the childhood and other immunisation programmes which include the identification of issues which are hampering the achievement of uptake targets.
The policy in relation to childhood immunisations, which is in the interest of children and the community generally, is that they should be offered on a voluntary basis. Parents should discuss with their general practitioner any concerns they may have before making a decision about their child's immunisation. I would like to take this opportunity to urge all parents to immunise their children. This will ensure that individual children and the population generally have maximum protection against the diseases concerned.
