Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 October 2013
594. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the progress being made to provide some redress and compensation for the victims of the blackleg vaccine; if his attention has been drawn to the distress and upset being caused due to the excessive delays in dealing with this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40644/13]
View answerBlackleg is a disease of livestock which does not directly affect people. Vaccination against blackleg has never been part of the human vaccination schedule. I am aware of allegations that blackleg vaccine may have been administered in error to children in State care in the 1970s as part of a clinical trial. The Department of Children and Youth Affairs holds responsibility for matters relating to children in care, including those arising from the use of children in care in clinic trials. I will raise this matter with my colleague, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.
