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Vaccination Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 November 2012

Tuesday, 27 November 2012

Questions (689)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

689. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the efforts he is making to combat Meningitis; if his attention has been drawn to the work of the Meningitis Research Foundation; if he will outline the efforts he is making to support them in their work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52801/12]

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Written answers

The HSE National Immunisation Office has responsibility for the implementation of the childhood immunisation programme in Ireland. Immunisation protects against many illnesses including meningitis and a number of vaccines in the current schedule protect against certain forms of meningitis e.g. Hib, MMR, MenC and PCV. Through the ongoing endeavours of the HSE, targeted media campaigns and interventions in specific areas, vaccination rates have increased. Since 2011, a 95% uptake rate, the target set by WHO is being achieved for 6 in 1 vaccinations. This means that more Irish children than ever are protected.

The Meningitis Research Foundation, a UK based charity registered in 1989, established an office in Dublin in 1996. It aims to work with families who have been affected by meningitis to promote awareness of the disease and to assist in raising funds for research into its prevention and treatment. My Department administers a National Lottery Discretionary Fund from which grants are paid to community and voluntary organisations providing a range of health related services. The Meningitis Research Foundation previously received lottery funding from my Department and can apply for further such funding again. It must be stressed that lottery funding is once-off discretionary funding and is not intended to provide a source of ongoing revenue funding.

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