Bernard Allen
Ceist:289 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the stockpile of smallpox vaccine available here. [10039/02]
Written Answers. - Vaccination Programme.
There are 600,000 units of smallpox vaccine available for use in the event of a confirmed case of the disease. It is accepted that smallpox vaccines can be diluted by a factor of five or six and still retain satisfactory levels of efficacy. The Irish strategy in relation to smallpox vaccination is broadly based on WHO guidelines which includes the identification of persons with smallpox, the tracing of contacts and the vaccination of these groups. In the event of a case of smallpox occurring, the expert committee on contingency planning for biological threats will provide advice in relation to the management of the situation, including the issues of vaccine use and dilution based on the specific circumstances prevailing at the time.