§ 30. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Health if he is yet in a position to make a statement on progress made in the experiments with an influenza vaccine.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThe results of the trial of a new influenza vaccine carried out last winter have now been given preliminary study by a committee of the Medical Research Council. Over 12,000 individuals took part in the trial. Influenza was diagnosed in 3 per cent. of the group given the new vaccine and in 49 per cent. of the group given an older type of vaccine; 6,340 volunteers received the new trial vaccine of the virus A type, and 192 had influenza; 6,370 received an older type and 309 had influenza. These results are considered to be sufficiently encouraging to justify further research on the vaccine with a view to improving it.
§ Mr. DoddsI thank the Minister for that information, but does he appreciate that the vast majority of people look upon this question as one of the most important of the day? Will he press on with the work?