RUSSELL BURKE,
Sir, -- The latest child health scare, the "reduced effectiveness" BCG vaccination, and the accompanying "no health risk" assurances bring back unhappy memories.
Less than two year ago we had the polio vaccination that had been contaminated by a CJD infected donor. My daughter received one of these vaccinations and it was the cause of much distress for both my wife and myself. We eventually had to settle for the assurances of the Department of Health that the associated risks are "negligible" and that processes are in place to ensure this could not reoccur. Now we hear that our son may have received a deficient BCG vaccination earlier this year.
The polio vaccination, manufactured using the blood donation of CJD infected UK resident, was made by a company called Evans/Medeva. The BCG vaccination was supplied by Evans Vaccines Ltd. whose licence has now been suspended by The Irish Medical Board. A little research reveals that both these companies are part of the same group, owned by Powderject PLC.
I happen believe that the benefits of vaccinating children against serious disease far outweigh the dangers of not, but many parents are becoming understandably more reluctant. The health authorities can hardly expect to increase confidence when the control of supplier appears to be seriously flawed. - Yours, etc.,
RUSSELL BURKE,
Blackrock
Co Dublin