The meningitis C vaccine was introduced at the beginning of October. With some 350,000 doses administered by mid December, it is said to be the most extensive immunisation programme in the history of the State.
Figures from the Irish Medicines Board (IMB) on adverse reactions indicate the meningitis C vaccine has caused 324 reactions in 143 children here - though they were all "non-vaccine specific" and considered of a minor nature.
There were, however, concerns about the lack of proper equipment in GP surgeries to cater for possible reactions.
"The majority of suspected adverse drug reactions reported to date were not serious and were in keeping with the expected safety profile of the products," according to the IMB acting medical director, Dr Joan Gilvarry. These included reports of rashes, fever, vomiting, dizziness and fainting episodes. There were also three reports of meningitis, two of them type B meningitis which were believed to have been coincidental. The third was a "very mild" case of meningitis C.
The majority of the reactions "resolved spontaneously without any treatment or intervention," Dr Gilvarry said. However, at least one child known to The Irish Times had to be admitted to hospital. "We have had a lot of adverse reports associated with this vaccine but nothing that would worry us. None of them is causing us any concern," Dr Gilvarry said. She said the IMB would continue to monitor its safety and "to implement any changes deemed necessary if or when these occur".
Dr Gilvarry said reactions were few given that approximately 350,000 doses of the vaccine had been administered.
There have been almost 60 official reports of adverse reactions in children to the MMR vaccination over the past five years. The IMB figures indicate 59 adverse reactions to the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine were reported in the State since 1996. Dr Gilvarry insisted these were "in keeping with the known safety profiles of these products".
Adverse reactions included a high temperature, fever and swelling or a red colouring at the site of injection. There were no suggestions the vaccine had been associated with the onset of autism, as some parents claim.
Dr Gilvarry said there had also been 17 reports of adverse reactions to the BCG vaccine over the same period.
The joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children is looking at childhood vaccinations in response to public concern about a suggested link between the MMR vaccine and autism, and in response to poor take-up rates. Its hearings continue this month.
A number of parents have told the committee they believe their children developed autism after being vaccinated. However, the Department of Health said that while adverse reactions could occasionally occur, the benefits of vaccination far outweighed possible risks. It said the suggested link had not been proven.
Dr Gilvarry confirmed records were kept by the IMB of all suspected adverse reactions to medicinal products, including vaccines, notified by healthcare professionals, whose reporting is voluntary. She said the reporting of reactions to products was most frequent during the first few years after they were licensed.
"Thereafter, reporting rates decline as healthcare professionals become increasingly familiar with the nature and expected profile of side-effects associated with products," she said.