The Joint Committee on Health and Children was established in November 1997. As\ud
part of its work programme for 2000 and 2001, the Joint Committee decided to\ud
examine the issue of childhood vaccination to include an examination of current\ud
vaccination policy and practices, poor take-up rates and public concerns about the\ud
risks and adverse effects of vaccination.\ud
In July 2000, the Joint Committee invited written submissions from members of the\ud
public, the medical profession and other interested parties. In excess of 100\ud
submissions were received. During the period November 2000 to March 2001, the\ud
Committee held a series of public meetings and heard evidence from a number of\ud
invited groups, organisations and individuals.\ud
In April 2001, the Joint Committee appointed Mr. John Kissane to assist it in\ud
reviewing the written and oral presentations received and to assist in the preparation\ud
of a draft report. The draft report was considered by the Joint Committee at its\ud
meetings on 5th July 2001 and 11th July 2001. The report, as amended, was agreed