§ Baroness MACLEOD of BORVEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the cost per injection of the MERIEUX rabies vaccine; which authorities have control of it; and when it is envisaged that it should be used.
§ Lord WELLS-PESTELLMy Lords, this vaccine is held centrally at the Public Health Laboratory Service, Colindale, and in a number of centres throughout the United Kingdom. This vaccine is licensed in the United Kingdom for pre-exposure prophylaxis only and at present is being used for this purpose in the case of certain categories of people who are at special risk of rabies by reason of their occupations. The extension of these categories is currently under consideration. Trials now in progress will provide evidence for the Committee on Safety of Medicines to consider its use for post-exposure cases.
As regards cost, I am sure the House will understand that I am unable to give details of Government contracts. I understand that, where private arrangements are made, the cost is about £13.50 per dose, and that that does not take administrative expenses into account.
§ Baroness MACLEOD of BORVEMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his reply. May I ask how many of the injections are held throughout the country, bearing in mind the fact that the main source is Colindale? How many injections are held here in total, and can the normal, private person go to a veterinary surgeon and ask for his or her pet to receive the injection? Can the Minister also tell me what animals are most likely to contract rabies?
§ Lord WELLS-PESTELLMy Lords, I am not in a position to answer any question at all with regard to the vaccine in relation to animals. I can only answer questions in respect of the vaccine which is used on humans for pre-exposure. That is the only information I have. There are certain categories of people, such as persons working in zoos and handling animals, who are treated by doctors. This can be done through the National Health Service.
§ Baroness MACLEOD of BORVEMy Lords, is it a fact that the noble Lord does not know that there are a considerable number of injections already held in this country for injection into animals? I understand that at the moment they are not able to be obtained by people wanting them for their own pets.
§ Lords WELLS-PESTELLMy Lords, I believe that we have interpreted the Question put down by the noble Baroness as referring to people who are handling animals rather than to animals themselves. If the noble Baroness wants that information, perhaps she would like to put down another Question.
§ Baroness SUMMERSKILLMy Lords, can my noble friend say what factors are responsible for making the cost of the vaccine so high?
§ Lord WELLS-PESTELLMy Lords, I cannot. I can only say that, if a person wants to be immunised with this vaccine and this is done in the private sector, the cost is about £13.50, but I cannot say why it is so high.
Lord DE CLIFFORDMy Lords, may I ask the Minister whether there are any side effects from the use of this vaccine on humans? There have been reports from certain kennel maids employed in quarantine kennels who have been vaccinated that they have had rather nasty side effects. I do not know whether it was the MERIEUX vaccine which was used, but it would be very helpful if they could be reassured that there were no side effects.
§ Lord WELLS-PESTELLMy Lords, there is another vaccine which is in fairly wide use—the duck embryo vaccine which produces various kinds of side 945 effect. My information is that, so far as the MERIEUX vaccine is concerned, reactions as yet are confined to redness and soreness and that, apart from that, the side effects are comparatively minor.