Tanáiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has said there are no plans to introduce a catch-up programme to immunise older children against Meningitis B at this stage.
Since 2016, all children receive the vaccine, but Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty called for a catch-up scheme for children born before then who are not immunised.
Mr Doherty said that a number of babies had passed away in recent weeks as a result of meningitis, but he acknowledged that the deaths did not occur as a result of the Meningitis B strain.
Mr Coveney told the Dáil that the National Immunisation Advisory Committee makes recommendations for at risk groups.
"We are proceeding with caution, taking the advice of medical experts and the Committee that is in charge of making recommendations in this area.
"And if we felt extending this scheme as you suggest was the right thing to do in terms of health care, then that is what we would be doing, but that is not the recommendation at this stage," the Tanáiste said.
Mr Doherty said the National Association of General Practitioners is calling for a catch-up scheme to be rolled out and tens of thousands of parents are signing online petitions.
He said GPs are inundated with calls from parents seeking the vaccine which can cost up to €450.
Mr Coveney said it was important to reassure parents that no deaths have occurred that can be attributed to Meningitis B, most commonly seen in babies under one year.
He said the issue would be kept under review and when that is completed, the Minister and the Department of Health would provide further clarification.
