Update 4.39pm: The National Association of General Practitioners (NAGP) has said it is urgently seeking their inclusion in negotiations on the new childhood vaccination schedule.
Talks between the IMO and the HSE have failed to reach agreement on the resourcing of the new vaccination schedule.
Citing concern for patient safety, the NAGP are now calling on the Government to include its representatives in these negotiations in an effort to avoid delays.
Dr. Emmet Kerin, NAGP President, said, “We are seeking to be included in talks so that agreement can be reached urgently and avoid a delay in delivery of the new vaccine schedule.
“The NAGP has previously stated that we are happy to work alongside the IMO on negotiations.
“The NAGP campaigned for the introduction of the Meningococcal B vaccine and we are disappointed at the potential delay in the implementation of the scheme”.
“While the NAGP will be included in negotiations for a new GP contract, we are not party to the ongoing negotiations on the new vaccination schedule, as these precede a new contract.
“As the largest representative body for General Practice, we are disappointed that we have not been included in these negotiations”.
The NAGP delivered a letter to the Minister for Health on November 7 outlining their concerns about the lack of agreement and urging his intervention to avoid any delay to the roll-out.
The GP body are writing to the Minister again today to seek their inclusion in talks in the hopes of a speedy resolution.
Earlier:
Concern is being raised about a delay in rolling out two new vaccinations for babies.
Doctors say the Department of Health has failed to respond to their concerns about plans for adding vaccines against Meningitis and Rotavirus to their workload.
They were due to be rolled out at the start of last month and GPs say they’ve proven successful internationally in protecting infants.
Fianna Fáil TD Jack Chambers said its matter of public health concern.
“They’ve missed the BCG vaccination criteria earlier on this year, and now we’re seeing the Government, and the Department of Health, fail to implement its own vaccination strategy, which is extremely concerning and worrying for parents,” he said.
“It’s important that the Department clarifies why it isn’t, and cannot, meet its own deadlines.
“This is a matter of public health concern.”
