A British company is to offer an alternative to the controversial Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine in Ireland.
Direct Health 2000, a private health care provider is to hold a clinic in Waterford on November 30th and December 1st, where they will administer their SepVax, programme - a regime favoured by anti-MMR campaigners.
There has been a campaign in Ireland and worldwide against MMR, with parents of children with bowel diseases, Attention Deficit Disorder and related disorders linking the vaccine to their children's illnesses.
Their arguments are supported by British scientist Dr Andrew Wakefield whose research suggests a link between MMR and a number of disorders.
However, medical regulators in most countries reject the claims and say the triple vaccine is both safe and the best way to ensure children are immunised. Separate administering requires children to be vaccinated three times over a 36-week period.
Direct Health 2000 have been providing the alternative vaccination in Britain for two years and say they have immunised about 60,000 children.
Managing director Ms Sarah Dean said the company is coming to Ireland because of the high level of demand there. She told ireland.comover 100 children had already been booked for the clinic and that appointments should be made through their website.
"We can't guarantee that children will be vaccinated if they just turn up on the day," she said, adding that she hoped to immunise upwards of 400 children during the weekend clinics.
She said there would be three nurses and a doctor present during the clinics, which will be held at a Waterford hotel where the first of three vaccines will be administered. There will then be subsequent visits to complete the programme.
Some GPs in Ireland already offer separate administration and generally charge €500-600 for a full course. Direct Health 2000 are charging €375 for the three injections.
Registration can be made by phone on 0044 20 8859 7290 or on their website Direct Health 2000.