Bernard Allen
Ceist:291 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children his proposals to introduce a hospital based vaccine service nationwide for children whose family members have experienced side effects after MMR vaccinations. [7794/02]
Written Answers. - Vaccination Programme.
The Primary Childhood Immunisation Programme provides for the immunisation of children up to two years of age against a range of potentially serious infectious diseases. Operational responsibility for the programme lies with the individual health boards which have appropriate regional and local management structures in place to manage the delivery of the immunisation programme. General practitioners enter into a contract with their local health board for the delivery of the programme.
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 National Immunisation Committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. MMR vaccine is available under the Primary Childhood Immunisation Programme. The MMR is a safe and effective vaccine. Reactions to the vaccine are generally of a minor nature such as local soreness at the injection site, high temperature, and headache.
There are some people for whom MMR vaccine is contraindicated. General practitioners are aware of the contraindications to the recommended childhood immunisations. These are taken into account by the general practitioner prior to the administration of the vaccine. Parents should discuss any concerns they may have with their general practitioner before making a decision about their child's immunisation. A history of anaphylaxis to a previous MMR immunisation is a contraindication.
The advice of the National Immunisation Committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland is that no child should be denied immunisation without thought as to the consequences. The committee further advises that where there in any doubt, advice should be sought from a consultant paediatrician or specialist in public health medicine. In such cases it is open to the paediatrician or public health specialist to advise as to the appropriate setting for administration of the vaccine.
The Irish Medicines Board is responsible for the monitoring and safety of all pharmaceutical products in Ireland. The monitoring of vaccine safety is ensured through clinical trials prior to licence and post-licence surveillance by the IMB. The IMB liaises closely with international bodies including the European Medicines Evaluation Agency and the World Health Organisation.