According to the HSE, they have no BCG vaccines, due to delays from the only licensed manufacturer in the EU.
The vaccine contains a weakened form of a bacteria related to the one that causes tuberculosis. This stimulates the immune system to protect against tuberculosis (TB). It’s given to babies at birth to protect them, despite the fact that in Ireland, the number of cases of TB has been falling with no cases reported in young children in 2014. Some European countries don’t even administer BCG to babies but the World Health Organisation believe it is an essential medicine.
The vaccine manufacturer has announced it will not be delivered into Ireland until late July at the earliest.
The BCG vaccine stock in all areas expired at the end of April 2015 so BCG vaccination clinics in HSE Clinics and Maternity hospitals have been postponed until new stock arrives.
