Approximately 83,500 doses of the polio vaccine in question were distributed in Ireland between 15 January 1998 and 30 January 1999. More detailed checking is taking place with the Health Boards in relation to the precise usage of this vaccine. It is not possible to state in medicine that there is absolutely zero risk, but expert advice, both national and international, available to the Department of Health and Children indicates that in this situation it is almost certainly the case. Albumin has a long tradition of safety. This is based partly on the fact that the purification methods used in its manufacture eliminate the potential for infectivity.
Albumin is produced at the last stage of a series of purification procedures.
Recent studies of the various plasma fractions have shown no infectivity associated with albumin. Some adults may also have received the vaccine as part of the recommended immunisations for travel to certain countries. There is no longer any UK-sourced plasma material contained in any vaccine in use in Ireland. Parents may contact their family doctor if they wish to enquire whether or not their child received vaccine from any of the batches concerned, as part of their primary immunisations. Also, each Health Board has been requested to establish a telephone line which concerned parents can call to enquire whether or not their child received any of the vaccine, as a booster immunisation.