DCSIMG

Naas mum furious as HSE halts BCG baby vaccine in Kildare over staffing


Published on Monday 1 December 2008 15:45

A KILDARE mother of a newborn who is waiting on the BCG vaccination has questioned why the vaccine, which protects children from a highly contagious disease, has not yet been administered to her daughter.

Following queries from the Leinster Leader, the Health Service Executive (HSE) confirmed that the BCG vaccination programme for newborns in Kildare has been suspended because of staff shortages.

The vaccination is normally given to babies within one month of birth and protects against tuberculosis.

"I'm furious," said Naas mother Sarah Griffin. "It has been suggested that I should not bring her even to the shopping centre because TB is on the rise in Ireland. I don't know what to do."

Sarah's baby girl Shauna was born on 20 October and she has been trying to make a BCG vaccination appointment with the Naas Health Centre ever since then. "To suspend a vaccination programme for babies because of staff shortages doesn't make sense. I'm absolutely furious."

The HSE confirmed this week that it has effectively ceased its normal vaccination programme in health centres in Naas, Athy and Maynooth because of a lack of staff.

"In November 2008 due to circumstances beyond our control it was necessary for us to curtail the number of clinics held," said a spokeswoman for the HSE.

She added: "For December 2008 a decision has been taken to implement the Diphtheria & Tetanus Programme for second year post-primary classes. In order to complete this programme it is necessary to defer BCG clinics in December 2008. It is our intention to fully re-instate the BCG Programme in January 2009."

It is advising parents to contact their local health centre or visit www.immunisation.ie. Early this year, the HSE suspended its immunisation programme for tuberculosis nationwide for several months because of a vaccine shortage.


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