Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013
1525. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken by the Health Service Executive to meet its childhood immunisation targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38277/13]
View answerThe objective of the Primary Childhood Immunisation Programme is to achieve an immunisation uptake level of 95%, which is the rate recommended by the World Health Organization, required to provide population immunity and to protect children, and the population generally, from potentially serious vaccine preventable diseases.
Since 2011 Ireland has achieved the 95% update level for the 6 in 1 vaccination (Diphteria, Tetanus, Pertussis (whooping cough), Hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), Polio) which is the main constituent of the primary childhood immunisation programme. Figures for 2012 show an uptake rate of 96% achieved for these vaccines.
There are continuing improvements to the uptake rates for the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine, with 2012 reporting an uptake figure of 93%. The Health Service Executive continues a catch up programme for measles vaccination which was completed in secondary schools during the 2012/13 academic year and will commence in primary schools during the 2013/14 academic year. During this campaign the MMR vaccine will be offered to primary level students who have not completed their two dose MMR vaccination schedule.
The Health Service Executive have also reported that the 2011-2012 National Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccine Campaign, which provides protection against the main viruses associated with cervical cancer, has been well received. HSE figures show that almost 86% of first year girls in second level schools have received their three vaccine doses, which exceeds the international target of 80%. The 2013/2014 Vaccination Campaign will, include a catch up programme for sixth year students who have not yet completed their three dose schedule.
