Vol. 451 No. 8
89 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Health the proposals, if any, he has to introduce a general vaccination scheme in respect of the Hepatitis B infection in view of the fact that Hepatitis B is second only to smoking as a cause of cancer and is much more infectious than AIDS but, unlike AIDS, vaccination can prevent the disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7537/95]
Limerick East): The reported incidence of hepatitis B in Ireland, as in most Northern European countries, is quite low — 24 cases of the disease were reported to my Department in 1994.
The epidemiology of hepatitis B is constantly kept under review and at present there are no plans to introduce a national vaccination programme against hepatitis B. The general population is not regarded as being at a high risk of contracting the disease. The vaccination is however available to all high risk categories as recommended by the World Health Organisation.
