HSE must find way to get vaccine

The HSE has got to get its act together. Thousands of children could be at risk of contracting deadly TB because the health service is not issuing a vaccine to newborns.

And to make matters worse this has been happening since 2015.

It’s bad enough to run out of vaccine for a week, but three years is a travesty.

The HSE claims this is because there are no supplies of the BCG vaccine available, because the only supplier has no more stock.

But at-risk babies in the North are getting the jab because the health authorities there have managed to source an alternative supplier.

A functioning health service should give everyone the correct start in life.

But since April 2015 the HSE is exposing kids to the horrors of TB.

Around 8,000 babies are born each year in recognised risk categories – such as members of the Traveller community and certain immigrants coming from countries where TB is still prevalent.

What we thought was eradicated in Ireland still causes double digit deaths every year.

Fianna Fail Jack Chambers is right to be concerned at the risks this poses and on an issue which could be easily rectified.

The HSE and Health Minister Harris need to stop sitting on their hands and find a new vaccine.