Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 September 2014
830. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health if his Department has plans to roll out a vaccine for meningococcal B; if negotiations have taken place with pharmaceutical suppliers for the drug; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33189/14]
View answerThe immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The NIAC is a committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland comprising of experts in a number of specialties including infectious diseases, paediatrics and public health.
The NIAC has not made any recommendation in relation to the use of Meningitis B vaccine in the primary childhood immunisation programme in Ireland. However NIAC has issued guidance in relation to the use of the Meningitis B vaccine in the control of clusters or outbreaks of Meningococcal B disease. Deliberation regarding the introduction of Meningococcal B into the primary immunisation schedule continues. New parameters as used by the UK Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) are being included.
