Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 February 2024
303. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if he has considered providing the MMR vaccine to children aged 6-12 months in cases of outbreak or foreign travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6741/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation. 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.
The ages at which vaccines are recommended in the primary childhood immunisation schedule are chosen by NIAC in order to give each child the best possible protection against disease.
Measles vaccine in Ireland is given as part of the combined Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. Two doses of MMR vaccine are included in the childhood immunisation schedule in Ireland:
• Dose 1, given at 12 month of age in general practice;
• Dose 2, given at 4-5 years of age in junior infants in Primary Schools, by HSE school immunisation teams.
The HSE launched an MMR catch-up programme in November 2023 which is being offered through GPs. Those eligible for MMR vaccination under the programme are children aged between 14 months and 10 years old inclusive who did not receive the MMR vaccine when they were 12 months old, and/or age 4-5 years old in junior infants.
