There is a need to develop balanced information on all aspects of immunisation programmes, according to the newly established National Immunisation Steering Committee.
In a clear acknowledgment of public disquiet over the alleged link between MMR vaccination and autism and other vaccine-related controversies, one of the committee's tasks will be to consult parent groups and others with an express interest in immunisation.
The committee will be chaired by Mr Sean Hurley, CEO of the Southern Health Board, and its work will be facilitated by the Office of Health Gain.
It includes representatives from the health boards, the National Disease Surveillance Centre, Irish Medicines Board and the Department of Health and Children, as well as general practitioners and public health nurses.
A communications working group of the committee will seek to compile balanced information on all aspects of vaccination. It will also look at methods of facilitating the communication of this information to parents and health professionals.
It is understood a materials management group will also be set up. Prompted by the recent discovery of the administration of out-of-date polio vaccines, it will seek to put in place a quality assurance system for all vaccines.
Other issues to be dealt with include ways of ensuring that the vaccine cold chain - vaccines must travel and be stored under a certain temperature - is not broken, and the need to develop a satisfactory system for distributing vaccines to GPs.
At present, practices must collect vaccines from a central distribution point. The possibility of starting a refrigerated delivery system to doctors' surgeries will be considered.
Inadequate information technology systems have also been a barrier to an adequate take-up by the primary immunisation programme in the State. The 10 health boards have at least four IT systems, none of which has the ability to communicate with another.
It is understood the committee will consider introducing a system which would allow easy exchange of information between health boards, GPs and the National Disease Surveillance Centre.
The committee will make its report in October.