John Gormley
Question:47 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on whether single vaccines should be offered as an alternative, in view of the latest evidence in relation to MMR. [5909/02]
Vol. 549 No. 1
47 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on whether single vaccines should be offered as an alternative, in view of the latest evidence in relation to MMR. [5909/02]
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. 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 immunisation advisory committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland.
MMR vaccine is available under the primary childhood immunisation programme and there is no provision for children to receive separate measles, mumps or rubella vaccinations under this programme. There are sound public health reasons for not administering the MMR as separate vaccines. On the basis of currently available information there is no evidence that giving each of the component vaccines separately has any greater benefit than the combined vaccines. Splitting the MMR vaccine into separate components would involve extra injections for children and would cause both children and the people with whom they come in contact to be exposed to these potentially serious diseases for a much longer period of time and be at greater risk of contracting the diseases concerned. To my knowledge no other country advocates the use of three separate vaccines rather than the MMR vaccine. MMR vaccine is in use worldwide. Most countries implement a two dose MMR vaccine programme and this policy has been very successful in controlling measles where high uptake of the vaccine has been achieved. My primary concern and that of my Department in relation to immunisation is that the vaccines in use are safe and effective. There is a sound evidence basis for the use of MMR in the national programme.