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16/01/2019
Health Minister Urged To Make Meningitis B Vaccine More Affordable
The Labour Party's spokesperson for health has repeated his calls for the State to reduce the cost of Meningitis B vaccines, following the 12th confirmed case of the condition since Christmas Eve.
The HSE revealed on Monday 14 January that another victim of the disease had been identified, but Health Minister Simon Harris has defended his decision not to extend the vaccine to children born before October 2016.
Children born after that date can now avail of a free vaccine against the strain.
Labour's Alan Kelly said Minister Harris has "rejected the will of thousands of parents" with his decision.
"Parents are nervous about their children contracting meningitis B and are equally nervous about not being able to afford the vaccine.
"At the end of the day, it is the parents who are struggling to make ends meet who are going to suffer as they aren't able to afford a round of vaccines that cost €300 per child. These families are being left behind by Fine Gael.
"I've been contacted by families who had to fork out over €600 over the weekend to vaccinate two small children and are now worried about how they are going to make ends meet for the rest of the month.
"All parents make sacrifices for their kids but it is outrageous to expect parents to bear the brunt of such large costs in the middle of a health crisis."
TD Kelly continued that the Government and HSE has the opportunity to buy the vaccine in bulk which would significantly lower the cost for parents.
"Minister Harris needs to get real on this and move to providing this vaccine at a more affordable price point for parents and their children."
(JG/CM)
The HSE revealed on Monday 14 January that another victim of the disease had been identified, but Health Minister Simon Harris has defended his decision not to extend the vaccine to children born before October 2016.
Children born after that date can now avail of a free vaccine against the strain.
Labour's Alan Kelly said Minister Harris has "rejected the will of thousands of parents" with his decision.
"Parents are nervous about their children contracting meningitis B and are equally nervous about not being able to afford the vaccine.
"At the end of the day, it is the parents who are struggling to make ends meet who are going to suffer as they aren't able to afford a round of vaccines that cost €300 per child. These families are being left behind by Fine Gael.
"I've been contacted by families who had to fork out over €600 over the weekend to vaccinate two small children and are now worried about how they are going to make ends meet for the rest of the month.
"All parents make sacrifices for their kids but it is outrageous to expect parents to bear the brunt of such large costs in the middle of a health crisis."
TD Kelly continued that the Government and HSE has the opportunity to buy the vaccine in bulk which would significantly lower the cost for parents.
"Minister Harris needs to get real on this and move to providing this vaccine at a more affordable price point for parents and their children."
(JG/CM)
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