asked the Minister for Health if the category of children to be eligible for free vaccination against anterior poliomyelitis in the new up to ten years age group has been confined to children of necessitous parents only; and, if so, why the original provisions allowing vaccination free to all children, irrespective of parents' means, have been so amended.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Vaccination Against Poliomyelitis.
As indicated in my reply to the Deputy on the 5th instant, vaccination against poliomyelitis will be provided by health authorities in the coming year for children in the lower income group who are over six months and under ten years of age. By reason of the fact that the supply of vaccine last year was restricted, the scheme then operated by health authorities was necessarily confined to children over one and under five years of age and because the vaccine was not available to the public generally, the scheme covered all children irrespective of their parents' means. In view, however, of the fact that adequate supplies of poliomyelitis vaccine are expected to be available this year to meet all demands and having regard to the continuing need for economy, the extension of the upper age limit for the coming year will be associated with a restriction of vaccination to children in the lower income group.