Written Answers. - Vaccination Programme.
John Perry
Ceist:
139
Mr. Perry
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
the plans, if any, in place to increase public awareness of protective vaccination facilities in view of the fact the only 15 per cent of travellers visiting at risk countries receive the necessary vaccinations to protect them against infectious diseases; his views on whether this is a cause for concern and has implications for public health policy; the way in which awareness of travel health risks will be created and persons encouraged to check with their general practitioner or travel health centre before taking foreign holidays; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[16377/99]
I have seen reports of the study referred to by the Deputy. It is of course advisable that, in their own interest, persons intending to travel to countries where certain infectious diseases are prevalent ensure that they take appropriate precautions against contracting such diseases.
However, it is a matter in the first place for intending travellers to familiarise themselves with the general advice on immunisation for travellers to the country concerned. Advice and information is obtainable through general practitioners, health boards, travel health centres, travel agents or the embassy or consulate of the country which it is intended to visit. In addition to the traditional immunisation advice, intending travellers should also consider seeking advice on a range of other issues, for example whether they are medically fit to travel, what medical provision should be made for individuals with pre-existing illness and what general precautions should be taken in relation to eating, drinking and exposure to a different environment from that to which people are accustomed.
It should also be noted that under the terms of sections 10(1)(e) and 12(1)(b) of the Package Holidays and Travel Trade Act, 1995, among the information which organisers of package holidays are required to make available to possible consumers is information about health formalities required by national administrations for the journey and the stay.
The health boards have statutory responsibility for the control of infectious diseases. The Deputy will be aware that a free primary childhood immunisation programme is in operation so as to protect the population against a range of bacterial and viral infections which might be encountered in this country. It would be open to boards, should they consider that the non-immunisation of persons travelling to countries where certain infectious diseases are prevalent poses a significant risk to public health, to take measures to encourage intending travellers to take appropriate precautions in this regard.
My Department publishes material containing general health advice for persons planning to travel abroad and this deals with the risks of infectious disease and the desirability of ensuring that intending travellers to at-risk countries obtain the appropriate vaccinations, as well as some of the other issues to which I have referred. The immunisation advisory committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland is currently reviewing its immunisation guidelines for Ireland and this included an examination of the advice to medical professionals on immunisation for persons travelling abroad. My Department will be arranging for the distribution of the revised guidelines, when completed, to a range of interested parties.
