The guidelines published by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland contain a number of significant recommendations relating to immunisation.These guidelines update previous guidelines from 2002 and have a considerable number of revisions reflecting updated epidemiological and vaccine information, and providing current information and guidelines concerning immunisation. 

Download  Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland 2008 Edition 

Speaking of the importance of Immunisation as a public health measure Prof Brian Keogh, Chairperson of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee said  “Immunisation, particularly childhood immunisation has been acclaimed as the most successful and effective public health measure ever undertaken.”  “Immunisation protects individuals and communities from specific infectious diseases which can sometimes cause serious illness, even death. I particularly welcome the improvement for MMR vaccine uptake, from 70% to 85% and I hope that it will soon reach our target of 95%.”
 

Key Findings of the Report
Since the last guidelines were issued in 2002 there has been an improvement in the uptake of childhood vaccines at 24 months, from 80% to 90% in 2006. There was a similar improvement for MMR vaccine uptake, from 70% to 85% over the same period.
 

Key Recommendations 
The National Immunisation Advisory Committee has added the following vaccines to the routine childhood immunisation schedule:

•         Hepatitis B vaccine (Hep B)
•         Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV), with a catch-up programme for
           children under 2 years.

NIAC has also made further recommendations:

•         Indications for varicella (Chicken pox) vaccination have been updated
           for children and adults in the specified risk groups.
•         All women of child-bearing age without a history of Varicella (Chicken
           pox) infection should have their immunity checked.  Women with
           negative serology should be vaccinated if no contraindications exist.
           Pregnancy should be avoided for 3 months following the last dose of
           varicella vaccine.
•         NIAC recommends annual influenza vaccination for people aged 50 years
          or older.
•         NIAC continues to recommend pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine
          for people aged over 65 years and individuals with certain conditions
          who are at increased risk of pneumococcal infection.

The Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland, 2008 edition will be distributed to Hospitals, Primary Care Centres, Departments of Public Health, General Practitioners, Community Health Doctors, Public Health Nurses, Immunisation Coordinators, Hospital Doctors, Occupational Health Departments and Hospital Pharmacists and is available for download here. For a hard copy or further information, please contact:

Karen Doyle
National Immunisation Advisory Committee
Royal College of Physicians of Ireland
Email: iac@rcpi.ie  
Tel 01-8639738