Vol. 487 No. 4
155 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children the percentage uptake there has been in the child vaccination scheme in the eight health boards since the new scheme was introduced; and if he will give a breakdown of the uptake in the various health board regions. [4395/98]
The most recent figures received from the eight health boards indicate that the uptake levels for completed three-in-one immunisations among children aged 18 months are as follows: EHB, 79 per cent; MHB, 76 per cent; MWHB, 42 per cent (at 12 months); NEHB, 72 per cent; NWHB, 86 per cent; SEHB, 88 per cent; SHB, 77 per cent; WHB, 77 per cent.
The Mid-Western Health Board is not in a position at present to provide uptake figures for children aged 18 months. I am advised by the board that the actual uptake is significantly better than the 42 per cent reported, as the board has a large backlog of claims from general practitioners to be processed. Additional staff resources have been put in place to address this problem.
