The BCG vaccine against TB is set to be available again to newborn babies in Cork, 35 years after routine administration of the vaccine was withdrawn.
Cork city and county was the only part of the country to have stopped its use, but the HSE South yesterday indicated that planning for the re-introduction of the BCG vaccination next October is already underway.
Cork hospitals stopped its use in 1972, with the vaccine only currently being offered to newborns, who are deemed to be at risk of developing TB. At-risk babies include those whose parents or siblings have a history of TB or children whose parents come from countries where there is a high incidence of the disease.
The vaccine is also given to children when a special request is made and to children that come into contact with confirmed TB cases. Principal medical officer with the HSE South, Dr Catherine Murphy, said an implementation group had been established to oversee the roll out of the vaccine.
