Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 3 Oct 2001

Vol. 541 No. 2

Written Answers. - Vaccination Programme.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

632 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has received a complete report from all health boards regarding the number of out of date polio vaccines administered and the number of vaccinations which will have to be re-administered; the figures under both headings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22447/01]

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

633 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children to whom the polio vaccine must be re-administered; the number who have been contacted to date by each health board; the number who have been re-vaccinated; the number who have yet to be contacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22448/01]

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

634 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children if preliminary conclusions have been drawn as to the cause of the administration of out of date polio vaccine; the measures which he is putting in place to ensure that such a situation does not arise again; if he can guarantee to parents that such instances will not arise again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22449/01]

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

635 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children if, as a result of the disclosure that an out of date polio vaccine was administered, he has requested health boards to review other vaccination programmes; if other similar incidents have occurred; if so, the numbers, vaccines and health boards involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22450/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 632 to 635, inclusive, together.

In view of the level of administration of oral polio vaccine after its expiry date, health boards were requested to examine how the administration of out of date vaccines occurred and the measures which should be put in place to prevent a recurrence. This matter was also brought to the attention of the Irish College of General Practitioners which was asked to review the matter and to consider the development of protocols in respect of vaccine administration.

In view of this incident health boards were also asked to examine systems and procedures currently in place, identify shortcomings where these exist and put in place revised systems-procedures as a matter of urgency. Health boards have also been asked to take appropriate measures in respect of vaccines administered from 2001 onwards to ensure the validation of all key information, that is, patient name, batch number and expiry date by cross reference to registration and supply databases.

Responses received on behalf of the health boards have indicated that the systems referred to above have either been or are currently subject to review. This review is being undertaken in the context of the national review, which is being organised by the national immunisation steering committee. This committee is addressing a wide range of issues relating to the childhood immunis ation programme and is expected to report later this year.

My Department also requested health boards to examine all childhood immunisation records to determine if children were given other out of date vaccine. As a first step details of batch numbers and expiry dates of each vaccine were sought from the relevant vaccine manu-

facturers/suppliers. The health boards have indicated that the volume of records is extensive and that it will take considerable time to extract the information required. The difficulties are compounded by the fact that some of the records are not computerised.

The following table sets out the number of oral polio vaccine doses, based on the latest information received from the health boards, which were administered after the expiry date.

Health Board	No. of doses(	No. of doses(>1 month after expiry date)	Total
ERHA		*530*
MHB	748	724	1,472
MWHB	991	722	1,713
NEHB	132	57	189
WHB	549	485	1,034

*This information was provided on 28 June and did not include a figure for the number of doses less than one month after the expiry date as these children did not need re-vaccination.

The other boards have been unable to provide the required information in the time available. I will forward this to the Deputy as soon as it is received. In the case of all boards, the names of children identified as having received out of date vaccine have been forwarded to the relevant GP with a view to contacting the parents regarding re-vaccination. Information in relation to the number of children revaccinated and the number yet to be contacted could not be provided by health boards in the time available. I will forward this to the Deputy as soon as it is received.