Vol. 510 No. 3
268 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has to respond to recent IMO calls for a more co-ordinated strategy from his Department on a national vaccination policy in view of continued difficulties regarding the issue of the notification of new born infants for the scheme and the introduction of new vaccines, for example, the new product for meningitis C; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22465/99]
There is a detailed agreement in place between my Department and the Irish Medical Organisation in respect of the contract between health boards and general practitioners for the delivery of the primary childhood immunisation programme. This provides for parents to have their children immunised free of charge and by the general practitioner of their choice against a range of serious infectious diseases. There is an established procedure for the notification of births to health boards and under the agreement the boards are responsible for the compilation of an immunisation register from the birth notification forms. The health boards have each been asked to put in place arrangements to evaluate and monitor the implementation of the primary childhood immunisation programme with a view to developing strategies to maximise uptake.
In relation to the introduction of the vaccine against group C meningococcal disease, planning is currently under way for the incorporation of this vaccine into the primary childhood immunisation programme and for it to be given to older children and young people in a catch-up programme. It is important that the programme for delivering the vaccine is effective and well organised and I have asked the health boards to take the lead role in planning such a programme. I understand that the health boards have arranged to have discussions with representatives of general practitioners about the role which they can play in this programme.
