Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:360. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to allowing older children to obtain the meningitis B vaccine as part of an immunisation programme. [26489/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 19 June 2018
Ceisteanna (360)
Freagraí scríofa
The 2016 HSE Service Plan included additional funding for the expansion of the Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule. Two changes were made to the schedule with the introduction of Meningococcal B (Men B) and Rotavirus immunisation for all babies born on or after 1 October, 2016. As the first doses of these vaccines are administered to children when they reach two months, these changes took effect from 1 December, 2016. There are no plans at this stage to introduce a catch-up programme for older children. Those who have a medical card are eligible to have the vaccine administered by their GP free of charge. However the purchase of the vaccine is not covered by the medical card scheme.
All vaccines administered through the Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule are provided free of charge. Ireland is the second country in Europe to make the Men B vaccine available free of charge as part of its national immunisation programme.