andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Health whether, in view of the fact that only seven per cent approximately of the child population under fifteen years of age were known to have been vaccinated during the years 1960 to 1962, and of the obvious protection given to these who were vaccinated as against those who were not, he will consider making vaccination available free of any direct charge to all children under fifteen years of age.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Free Vaccination for Children.
2.
I would point out that the figure of seven per cent which is the annual average number for 1960 to 1962 of children under 15 years who received the full course of three injections under local health authority schemes does not truly reflect the progress achieved which, over the three-year period, represented some 20 per cent of the total age-group.
Moreover, as I have indicated on previous occasions, this is by no means the complete picture; account must be taken of the number of children vaccinated in previous years under local authority schemes and the considerable number vaccinated privately; many others who have not obtained three injections have also received a measure of protection with one or two injections.
I have no reason to believe that the existing arrangements for vaccination against poliomyelitis constitute any real bar in the case of any person who is genuinely concerned to have his children protected against the disease.