Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 April 2016
436. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the progress he has made in conjunction with the Health Service Executive in examining evidence-based changes to the primary childhood and schools immunisation schedule; the stage these examinations are at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5478/16]
View answer439. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the progress he has made in introducing Bexsero, the vaccine that protects against meningitis B, into the primary childhood and schools immunisation schedule; the status of his announcement that the vaccine will be offered to babies for free as part of the primary childhood immunisation schedule from September 2016; the way in which and when he will implement this roll out; and the way in which it will impact on children born prior to September 2016. [5481/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 436 and 439 together.
The HSE Service Plan included additional funding for the expansion of the Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule in 2016. Consequently, there will be two evidence-based changes made to the Primary Childhood and Schools Immunisation Schedule later this year. Meningococcal B and Rotavirus are to be introduced in Quarter 4 and Ireland will be the second country in Europe to provide the Meningitis B vaccine to children as part of a national immunisation programme. The HSE has commenced work on the necessary preparations for the introduction of the new vaccines, and children will begin receiving the new vaccines later this year. The age of administration of the vaccine is under consideration. All vaccines administered through the Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule are provided free of charge.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
