Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 November 2015
432. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision of the tuberculosis, BCG, vaccine for infants and the anticipated timelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41767/15]
View answerThere is currently a worldwide shortage of BCG and Ireland is not the only country affected by this. The BCG vaccine has not been available in Ireland since the end of April 2015. BCG vaccination clinics in HSE Clinics and Maternity hospitals have been postponed until new stock arrives.
Since this problem became apparent, the HSE National Immunisation Office has been in regular contact with the manufacturer of BCG and with the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) who licenses vaccines in Ireland as well as with other relevant stakeholders. The HPRA have been seeking to find an alternative supply of BCG that meets safety, quality and effectiveness standards and that could be used in Ireland. To date no appropriate alternative manufacturer of BCG vaccine has been found.
In Ireland the number of cases of Tuberculosis (TB) has been falling and there were no cases of TB in young children in 2014. Young children are not at risk of TB because of the delay in getting BCG vaccine in Ireland.
The supplier of BCG vaccine has informed the HSE that the vaccine will not be delivered to Ireland until the beginning of January 2016 at the earliest. When the vaccine is delivered there will be sufficient quantity to vaccinate all babies who have not received the vaccine. The HSE will arrange appointments for vaccination clinics when the BCG vaccine supply is received.
