asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the dangers of congenital deformities arising from rubella in early pregnancy and the fact that a reliable vaccine is available, his Department will consider sponsoring a vaccination programme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rubella Infection.
3.
The question of the initiation of a scheme of vaccination against rubella in this country is still the subject of consideration in my Department and a decision has not yet been taken.
I think I got the same reply from the Minister in relation to another condition for which mass vaccination was being considered. We are now facing the winter when this other condition will be very prevalent and no decision has yet been taken by this Department.
I have given the reply to the Deputy. This matter is being considered. As the Deputy knows, gamma globulin is available to pregnant women who are at risk through having been in contact with rubella.
The Minister is aware that this reply is very similar to the reply he gave me some time ago on a similar question. Could he indicate when he will introduce—and I assume he will introduce—a mass vaccination scheme against rubella in school girls?
I cannot commit myself on that. I am not aware that in my Department we are holding back the introduction of modern medical techniques to any considerable extent. When I look at the progress which has been made in the last five years, I am afraid the House will have to trust to my judgment and that of the officers of my Department in regard to making this decision.
The Minister has mentioned that gamma globulin is available. First of all, it should be made known in this House——
Has the Deputy a question?
Yes. I am asking the Minister is he aware, first, that when a pregnant mother comes in contact with this condition the giving of gamma globulin at this time is ineffective, and it is also ineffective in the dose recommended by his Department. Secondly, the cost is colossal and does not warrant its being used in view of the fact that when it is administered it is not effective.
I am not so aware.
I would ask the Minister to check with his Department about this problem.
4.
asked the Minister for Health the cost of gamma globulin administered to pregnant women exposed to rubella infection.
The average protective dose of gamma globulin in the case of pregnant women exposed to rubella infection costs between £4 and £6 per dose depending on the source of supply of the gamma globulin. Information is not available as to the total annual cost of supplying gamma globulin for such cases.
When the Minister states "between £4 and £6 per dose", what dose has he in mind?
Per ten millilitres.
75 milligrammes is what has been recommended by his Department, whereas 1,500 milligrammes is the dose which could be effective if it was administered in time, in which case the cost would be at least three times that.
It is not possible for me to start arguing in this House about medical techniques of a very detailed character. I shall bring to the notice of the Department the observations made by Deputy O'Connell. As he knows very well, medical consultants disagree on a great many matters.
This is a matter concerning the health of women whose children may be deformed.
We cannot debate the matter at Question Time.
This is a matter that warrants being treated seriously.
The entire time of this House could be spent if every single person with any kind of medical knowledge were to ask questions about the application of modern medical techniques. I do not propose to act as an expert myself.
But the Minister has qualified medical advisers.
I have made the general statement that I am not aware that in my Department we have unduly held back the application of modern medical techniques when we consider them to be desirable and after consulting the experts concerned.
That is why I am asking the Minister to consider an immunisation campaign.
Question No. 5.
Would the Minister consider a phased introduction of vaccination?