A NEW, more effective whooping cough vaccine which carries a far lower risk of side effects than the traditional vaccine has arrived - but until the Department of Health incorporates it in its official vaccination programme, parents are going to have to pay for it. And it costs £30 including VAT according to one manufacturer, Smith Kline Beecham.
Five month old Gavin McGowan of Dunshaughlin, Co Meath has become the first Irish child to receive the new three in one vaccine - called Infanrix - which protects against whooping cough, diphtheria and tetanus. Infanrix is currently being reviewed by the Department of Health for inclusion in the National Immunisation Programme, although Dr Ray O'Connor, a member of the National Immunisation Committee, has already described it as effective and safe.
The Irish Medicines Board approved the use of Infanrix following trials, reported in the New England Journal of Medicine, which showed that the vaccine provided protection in 84 per cent of cases against whopping cough in comparison to 36 per cent provided by current vaccines. More importantly, Infanrix also reduces the incidence and severity of side effects.
Dr Cormac MacNamara, a GP in Waterford, says that many countries had discontinued using the old 3 in 1 vaccine because of fears of side effects: it is still being used here.
Many parents will undoubtedly be wondering whether they should try to get the new vaccine - and pay the extra cost - when they can get the old one for free. Dr McNamara did not want to advise on the matter publicly, but did say that "the new vaccine is still in the process of being reviewed and a decision is, expected soon. Until then I will not personally be including it in my routine." Dr Helen O'Neill of Dunboyne, Co Meath, who administered the new vaccine to Gavin McGowan for Smith Kline Beecham, said: "It is such a new thing that we haven't developed a practice policy on it."