Seamus Healy
Question:301. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the shortage of the BCG vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17365/19]
View answerTuesday, 16 April 2019
Questions (301)
Written answers
In 2013, a joint recommendation from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and the National TB Advisory Committee proposed moving from a universal neonatal BCG vaccination programme to a selective BCG vaccination programme targeting high risk groups only.
Following this, the Department of Health requested the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to undertake a Health Technology Assessment. HIQA reported in 2015 and noted that selective vaccination was more effective and less costly than universal vaccination.
Due to a lack of vaccine from the sole EU supplier, the BCG vaccine has not been available in Ireland since April 2015. The HSE National Immunisation Office and the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) have sought an alternative supply of BCG vaccine that meets safety, quality and effectiveness standards that could be used in Ireland. To date no appropriate alternative manufacturer has been found.
Given that both reports predate the discontinuation of vaccine supply, the HSE have recently been requested (January 2019) to undertake an updated review of the epidemiology of TB in Ireland, considering the public health impact of having no BCG vaccination since April 2015. This review will be used to inform an updated recommendation to the Department regarding the future provision of BCG vaccination in Ireland.