Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 May 2020
793. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the National Immunisation Advisory Committee has no representative from a society (details supplied); the length of time the position has been vacant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5252/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The NIAC is an independent committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI) comprising experts in several specialties including infectious diseases, paediatrics and public health. The committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation. It makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department. The NIAC continues to revise recommendations to allow for the introduction of new vaccines in Ireland and to keep abreast of changes in the patterns of disease. Therefore, the immunisation schedule will continue to be amended over time.
Dr Corinna Sadlier is the current representative, on the NIAC, of the Infectious Diseases Society of Ireland and RCPI Council Consultant in Infectious Diseases. Dr Sadlier is a Consultant in Infectious Diseases at Cork University Hospital.
