Seamus Healy
Question:364. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the shortage of the BCG vaccine here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30977/17]
View answerTuesday, 4 July 2017
Questions (364)
Written answers
There is currently a worldwide shortage of BCG vaccine. The vaccine has not been available in Ireland since the end of April 2015. Consequently, BCG vaccination clinics in HSE Clinics and Maternity hospitals have been postponed.
There is only one licensed supplier of BCG vaccine to Ireland. The manufacturer has had difficulties in the production of the BCG vaccine. Since this problem became apparent, the HSE National Immunisation Office has been in regular contact with the manufacturer to ascertain when the vaccine might be available. The HSE also asked the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), which licenses and regulates all human medicines in Ireland, to source an alternate supplier of the BCG vaccine. Efforts have been made to find a company who can provide the vaccine for use in Ireland which satisfies all the HPRA requirements on safety and efficacy but no suitable alternative BCG product has been found.
The supplier has indicated that supplies of the vaccine are not expected to be delivered into Ireland until early 2018. When there is confirmation of the date of new supply, the HSE will be guided by the recommendations of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee on its administration.