There has been renewed calls for the Government to introduce a catch up Meningitis B vaccine programme after a petition was set up online.
The petition which was set up on my.uplift.ie comes after the HSE reported an increase in meningitis cases in recent weeks.
It is understood the petition is calling on the Minister for Health Simon Harris to introduce the vaccine to all children and teenager in order to prevent them from contracting the illness.
The petition reads as follows: “In light of the recent meningitis outbreak we are calling on the Minister for Health Simon Harris to Implement a catch-up vaccination programme for the meningitis B programme for all children and teens.”
“The under sixes and early teens are both particularly susceptible to this dangerous virus which has already taken three lives and we should ensure full vaccination coverage for children.”
The petition has gained almost 8,000 signatures since it was set up on Thursday.