REPORT on CHILDHOOD IMMUNISATION

by the Chairman, Batt O'Keeffe T.D.

The Joint Committee on Health and Children was established in November 1997. As part of its work programme for 2000 and 2001, the Joint Committee decided to examine the issue of childhood vaccination, to include an examination of current vaccination policy and practices, poor take-up rates and public concerns about the risks and adverse effects of vaccination.

In July 2000, the Joint Committee invited written submissions from members of the public, the medical profession and other interested parties. In excess of 100 submissions were received. During the period November 2000 to March 2001, the Committee held a series of public meetings and heard evidence from a number of invited groups, organisations and individuals.

In April 2001, the Joint Committee appointed Mr. John Kissane to assist it in reviewing the written and oral presentations received and to assist in the preparation of a draft report. The draft report was considered by the Joint Committee at its meetings on 5^th July 2001 and 11^th July 2001. The report, as amended, was agreed.

The Joint Committee is grateful to Mr. John Kissane for his efforts in assisting the Joint Committee. The Committee would also like to sincerely thank the many parents, medical professionals and support groups who made written submissions. In particular, the Committee would like to express its appreciation to the following individuals and groups who gave evidence at public meetings of the Committee -

representing a group of parents who are also parents
Ms. Frances Howlin and Ms Marguerite Ronayne

The Hope Project
Ms. Caroline McCabe and Ms. Miriam Twomey

Allergy Induced Autism
Ms. Cecilia Young and Ms. Rosmary Kessick

The Department of Health and Children
Dr. Jim Kiely, Chief Medical Officer
Dr. John Devlin, Assistant Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Michael Mulcahy, Mental Handicap Advisor
Ms. Dora Hennessy
Mr. Fergal Goodman

The Public Health Directors of the Health Boards
Dr. Kevin Kelleher, Director of Public Health, Mid-Western Health Board
Dr. Patrick Doorley, Director of Public Hea;th, Midland Health Board
Ms. Maureen Windle (representing Health Board CEOs)

The Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association
Ms. Anne Nolan, CEO
Mr. Brian Murphy, Commercial Affairs Manager
Dr. Mike Watson

The National Disease Surveillance Centre
Dr. Darina O’Flanagan, Director
Dr. Derval Igoe, Specialist in Public Health Medicine

The Irish Medical Organisation
Dr. James Reilly, IMO General Practitioner Committee
Dr. Declan Bedford, IMO Public Health Doctors Committee

The Irish College of General Practitioners
Dr. Brian Coffey, Chairman
Dr. Rita Doyle, Chair of ICGP task Group on Immunisation

Royal College of Physicians in Ireland – Sub-Committee on Childhood Vaccinations of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee
Dr. Kevin Connolly, Chairman
Professor Brian Keogh, Committee member
Dr. Karina Butler, Committee Member

Professor Denis Gill, Consultant Paediatrician, Childrens Hospital, Temple Street

Dr. Andrew Wakefield, Royal Free and University College Medical School, University of London

Professor John O’Leary, Department of Pathology, Coombe Womens Hospital, Dublin

The Joint Committee requests that the issues raised in this report be the subject of a debate in both Houses of the Oireachtas. 

Batt O'Keeffe T.D.
Chairman
July 2001

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