Brendan Ryan
Question:168. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health to outline his plans to introduce a vaccination scheme for meningitis B; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42543/14]
View answerThursday, 6 November 2014
Questions (168)
Written answers
The 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 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.