‘No support’ for children suffering vaccine side-effects

Parents of children who developed a chronic sleep disorder after receiving the Pandemrix swine flu vaccine have criticised government delays in putting a framework in place to support their children’s needs.

Máiréad Lawless, whose 7-year-old son Alex developed narcolepsy in 2010 after taking the vaccine, said they had expected a paper to go to the Oireachtas before the summer recess outlining proposals for a range of supports for families affected by the disorder.

This did not happen and parents represented by Sound — Sufferers of Unique Narcolepsy Disorder — were then hopeful the proposals would be ready this month.