Infant vaccine programme to expand from September

THE CHILDHOOD immunisation programme is to be expanded from September to include vaccines against pneumococcal meningitis and hepatitis B.

Dr Brenda Corcoran, from the HSE's National Immunisation Office, said the HSE was "finalising plans" to start providing the expanded vaccine programme from September.

The new vaccines will be given in three doses to children aged two months, four months and 12 months. The expansion will see the number of GP visits for routine vaccination rise from four to five.

A catch-up campaign for the new vaccines will also start in September to provide immunisation for the more than 100,000 children aged over two months but under two years.

Dr Corcoran said that despite the new vaccinations parents still needed to be vigilant for meningitis symptoms, as there was no vaccine for meningococcal type B meningitis.

She said vaccinating against pneumococcal meningitis would contribute to a reduction in the levels of pneumococcal disease in the wider community with particular benefits for people aged over 65. She said the HSE had also started work on a WHO measles eradication programme.

The expansion will be discussed at the HSE's National Immunisation Symposium on Thursday, in Moate, Co Westmeath.

The HSE will also participate in the WHO's European Immunisation Week which runs from April 21st to 27th.