Gay Mitchell
Ceist:220 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement addressing the concerns of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12. [4107/02]
Vol. 548 No. 2
220 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement addressing the concerns of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12. [4107/02]
238 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children the assurances and information in relation to the MMR vaccine which are available to members of the public who have expressed concern in relation to this vaccination procedure; if there are alternatives available; if his Department will take steps to allay concerns about same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4350/02]
242 Mr. Dennehy asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to reports of private clinics planning to offer single injections for measles, mumps and rubella; his views on such a development; the level of uptake of the MMR vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4374/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 220, 238 and 242 together.
The primary childhood immunisation programme provides for the immunisation of children under two years of age against a range of potentially serious infectious diseases. Under the programme, parents may have their children immunised free of charge by the general practitioner of their choice. The schedule of immunisation is in accordance with the recommendations of the immunisation advisory committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, RCPI. General practitioners are aware of the contra-indications to the recommended childhood immunisations and parents should discuss any concerns they may have with their general practitioner before making a decision about their child's immunisation.
The MMR vaccine is available under the primary childhood immunisation programme and there is no provision for children to receive separate measles, mumps or rubella vaccinations under this programme. On the basis of currently available information, there is no evidence that giving each of the component vaccines separately has any greater benefit than the combined vaccines. Splitting the MMR vaccine into separate components would involve extra injections for children and would cause both children and the people with whom they come in contact to be exposed to these potentially serious diseases for a much longer period of time and be at greater risk of contracting the diseases concerned. There are sound public health reasons for not administering the MMR as separate vaccines.
I am aware from media reports that a private clinic is planning to offer single measles, mumps and rubella vaccines. However, I have no information about this clinic or the vaccines it proposes to offer. The MMR vaccine is licensed by the Irish Medicines Board which is responsible for monitoring and safety of all pharmaceutical products in Ireland.