MORE THAN 220 families in Dublin have been contacted by health authorities to have their children vaccinated for a second time against several conditions, including diphtheria, mumps, whooping cough and other illnesses.
The move follows an investigation by the HSE which found that a number of vaccines may not have been prepared and administered in the correct way by one GP in the Dublin region.
The HSE said last night it had determined that childhood vaccinations given by this particular GP “may not have been effective due to an issue with their administration”. The HSE said it was establishing clinics operated by its own staff to offer revaccination for the children affected.
The HSE said last night it was contacting 221 families to inform them their children should be revaccinated to make sure they were protected.
Only families who have received a letter from the HSE are affected by the potential problems with the original vaccination.
The HSE said a freephone information number had been made available for the parents of children who had been contacted by letter already.
The HSE said the issue came to its attention following a query by a service user/parent.
GPs with immunisation contracts with the HSE provide vaccines for all babies to protect against diseases such as diphtheria, haemophilus influenzae B (Hib), hepatitis B, measles, meningococcal C disease, mumps, pertussis (whooping cough), pneumococcal disease, polio, rubella (German measles) and tetanus.
The HSE said there were no known safety issues with the vaccines received previously by the children identified. However, it said that “as the vaccine may not have been effective, these children may not be appropriately protected from these diseases”.