Bernard Allen
Ceist:197 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has to introduce a universal immunisation programme for hepatitis B. [4039/00]
Written Answers. - Vaccination Programme.
I have no plans at present to introduce a universal immunisation programme for hepatitis B.
My Department's policy on immunisations is guided by the advice of the immunisation advisory committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. The committee states that, despite evidence of undernotification, examination of the recent epidemiological data in Ireland indicates a low prevalence of hepatitis B, in line with other northern European countries. Immunisation is therefore recommended only for individuals who are at increased risk of hepatitis B because of their occupation, lifestyle or other factors, such as close contact with a case or carrier. The committee states that it will continue to review the policy on hepatitis B immunisation in the light of changing epidemiological data and evidence of the effectiveness of delivery of immunisation against this disease.
A national study into the prevalence of hepatitis B in the population has recently been completed. The study indicated that Ireland has a very low endemicity for hepatitis B, approximately one in 200 of the population, which is much lower than that found in other low endemicity northern European countries. The authors of the study concluded that the current national hepatitis B immunisation policy, that is, selective immunisation of high risk individuals, is appropriate at present and recommend that it continue.