The policy of not vaccinating under-fives against swine flu came under the spotlight, on 13 January 2011.
Health committee deputy chairperson Michelle O'Neill asked public health officials why the policy to immunise all under-fives had been stopped.
Last year, all children between six months and five years were offered the pandemic H1N1 swine flu jab.
Director of the Public Health Agency Dr Caroline Harper said this age group was vaccinated last year and now 50-60% had built up some level of natural immunity.
She told the committee that the government could make a decision to issue flu jabs for healthy under-fives and said there would be enough supplies if this was enacted.
Dr Harper defended her decision on January 7 to release the figures for deaths in Northern Ireland from swine flu, despite stating two hours previously that these figures were unavailable.
She said that public and media interest had "tipped in favour of publication".
Dr Harper said 17 people had died from swine flu since the beginning of the year.
She added that 14 of the victims had underlying medical conditions, two did not and there was one case where information was still being collected.
There had been a 2% increase in cases of swine flu in the previous two weeks, she said.
The committee also heard evidence from Autism Initiatives in relation to the Autism Bill.
Assistant Director Mr Alan Hanna said his organisation was a strong supporter of the bill but did acknowledge that there were areas that could be strengthened, such as the need for the collation of data.
Committee chairperson Jim Wells highlighted the lack of a unified response to the bill saying that the Aspergers Society was strongly opposed to it.
He also said the National Autistic Society (NAS) had failed to refer to clause one of the bill which aims to amend the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to ensure it recognises autistic spectrum conditions.
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