The HSE is set to resume the School Vaccination Programme in Laois ‘in the coming weeks’.
Laois TD Charlie Flanagan relayed the news to LaoisToday after he sought an update on the matter from Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly.
Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley told last week how the roll out of the programme in the county had been suspended.
Children in both primary and secondary schools have not been vaccinated as normal since then while the programme proceeded apace in other regions including in Carlow, Kilkenny and Tipperary.
But in a letter addressed to Deputy Flanagan, Minister Donnelly explained the situation and gave a commitment that it would be rectified in the coming weeks.
He said: “The Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, has asked me to thank you for your recent email concerning the School Vaccination Programme for school children.
“Due to the closure of school buildings in mid-March as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the schools-based immunisation programme was suspended.
“At that time, approximately one third of students in junior infants still had outstanding vaccines. The visits to second level schools had only just commenced for the second dose of HPV and Men ACWY, therefore, about 90% were outstanding.
”In order to address this issue, all CHO areas provided clinics for the outstanding immunisations to school aged children in catch-up clinics over the summer months.
“Children who were unable to attend the catch-up clinics were offered additional chances to receive the immunisations in the academic year 2020-21.
“Regrettably, the schools-based immunisation programmes, which were scheduled to begin in September 2020, were deferred in the counties covered by Midlands Louth Meath (Laois/Offaly, Longford/Westmeath, Louth, Meath LHOs).
“This was due to staff being redeployed to support Testing, Contract Tracing, and the Public Health Departments.
“I am pleased to advise that the HSE has reviewed the situation and a recovery plan has been prepared for School Immunisation 2020/21. It is intended that the Schools-based Immunisation Programme will resume in the coming weeks.
“In addition, it is important to note that those who are targeted for School Immunisation in 2020/2021 will have their necessary vaccinations fully completed by Summer 2021.”
SEE ALSO – Emergency services spring into action to rescue elderly man on Slieve Bloom Mountains
