§ 20. Mr. Jannerasked the Minister of Health whether he is now in a position to state that all persons who have similar duties to that performed by the Leicester man, who when he was a public health inspector with a borough council in Kent died in consequence of his contact with polio cases, will together with their families have the right to be vaccinated against contracting polio disease.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithPublic health inspectors are not at present among the groups, such as general practitioners, ambulance staff and their families, who are eligible for vaccination, but the list 15 is kept under frequent review in the light of expert advice.
§ Mr. JannerIs the Minister aware that he gave a similar answer before, stating that the case of this class of worker was under review? But in this instance the man died from polio infection after he had asked to be vaccinated. Is he also aware that, although the forms went in in 1956 for the children, these were received only a week or two ago and that it is only now, since 1956, that the children of that man have been vaccinated? Cannot the Minister do something about it?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI am advised in this case that there is not sufficient evidence to say that the public health inspector in question contracted poliomyelitis as a result of visiting cases in the course of his duties. On the generality of the matter, I am advised on the priority of classes for vaccination by a committee of medical and scientific experts, and it is on that committee's advice that I have formulated the priority groups.