asked the Minister for Health whether in view of the failure of his Department's poliomyelitis vaccination scheme operated by local health authorities to cover more than a total of 7 per cent. of the age groups 0-10 in the years 1957 and 1958 and of the increased incidence of paralytic poliomyelitis in 1958 over 1957 he proposes to amend the scheme in order to make vaccination available free of direct charge to parents of children who wish to avail of it, as in the case of diphtheria and other free inoculation schemes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Poliomyelitis Vaccination Scheme.
The percentage of vaccinations quoted by the Deputy refers only to those who have already completed the full course of three injections under the scheme operated by health authorities. As I informed the Deputy in reply to a question which he addressed to me on the 29th October, the total number who have so far received one, two or three injections is 22 per cent. of the eligible age groups. I have every reason to believe that the great majority of those who have not yet completed the course of three injections will do so. In any case, even those who may not complete the course will have received a measure of protection against polio. I would also remind the Deputy that none of the figures which I have quoted take account of the considerable number of children vaccinated privately.
I do not consider that any special significance attaches to the fact that the number of reported cases of polio in 1958 is greater than it was in 1957, as the incidence of this disease fluctuates widely.
While I would have liked to have seen the scheme more generally availed of this year, I am hopeful that, with the spread amongst the public of greater knowledge and appreciation of the value of this relatively new technique, parents and guardians will come forward in increasing numbers in future years.
For these reasons, it is not my intention to make any substantial changes in the present scheme.