Animal vaccines were used on children, investigation finds

The Junior Minister for Health says that an investigation into a vaccination programme, which was carried out in the 1970’s, has shown that two children were given vaccines that were supposed to be only used on animals.

An investigation into the claims, which first emerged last week, is underway at the company, now called Glaxo SmithKline, that made the vaccines and within the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the Irish Medicines Board.

The Dail has been told that the inquiry will continue until the full facts have been established.

However, it has been revealed that at least two children may have been injected with animal vaccines in 1973.

Fine Gael’s Denis Naughten has accused the original company, Wellcome, of deliberately withholding information on the vaccines.