Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 9 Dec 1997

Vol. 484 No. 3

Written Answers. - Paediatric Immunisation Programme.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

228 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will review the paediatric immunisation scheme; if his attention has been drawn to curtailments in this area in recent times; if he is conscious of the need to continue and expand this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22008/97]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The operation of the national primary childhood immunisation programme is a matter in the first instance for the individual health boards, who enter into contracts with general practitioners for the delivery of the service. Up to the end of 1995, prior to the introduction of this programme, the immunisation scheme was operated by a combination of public health clinics and general practitioners acting independently.

The aim of the programme is to achieve an uptake level of 95 per cent and so eradicate the diseases in question. The most recent returns received from the health boards indicate that uptake levels for completed courses of immunisation among children aged 18 months range from 64 per cent to 88 per cent. My Department is in discussion with the health boards, the Irish Medical Organisation and the Irish Nurses' Organisation concerning the operation of the programme. I recognise that all of the parties concerned share the objective of achieving the programme's target. I am confident that this target can be achieved and my Department is keeping under review the question of whether additional measures may be necessary in this regard.