HC Deb 09 February 1977 vol 925 cc1579-80

Official Report, 8th February 1977 Vol. 925.

In column 1239, after fourth paragraph, the following should have been circulated as part of the statement by Mr. Ennals:

Following is the information—

1. Infectious Diseases—Fall in number of cases Since diphtheria immunisation began the level of the disease in this country has fallen from 55,000 cases and nearly 3,000 deaths a year before 1942 to fewer than 10 cases and no deaths in 1976. Poliomyelitis has fallen on a similar scale. Whooping cough is down from 90,000 cases and 85 deaths in 1956 to fewer than 4,000 cases and four deaths in 1976.

2. Number of Actual Vaccinations Given in each year in England and Wales

Whooping Cough Immunisation of Persons under 16 years

TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS UNDER 16 IMMUNISED
1960 … … 626,401
1961 … … 690,070
1962 … … 578,474
1963 … … 619,201
1964 … … 679,382
1965 … … 697,653
1966 … … 693,805
1967 … … 711,254
1968 … … 629,183
1969 … … 457,407
1970 … … 620,381
1971 … … 642,533
1972 … … 632,495
1973 … … 588,516
1974 … … 457,753
1975 … … 259,810

3. Continuing Study In a continuing follow-up study in the past two years of children immunised in a metropolitan region, involving over 80,000 doses of vaccine containing a whooping cough component, no case of permanent brain damage has yet been encountered.

4. Advice given to doctors about contraindications to vaccination In 1963, after the setting up of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, the first Memorandum entitled "Immunisation against Infectious Disease" was issued to doctors; this was revised in 1965, 1968 and 1972. Advice on contra-indications was included in all these booklets. This has been elaborated on a number of occasions in letters sent to doctors by the Chief Medical Officers. Copies of the current version of the Memorandum are being placed in the Library.

5. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation is an independent body which was set up jointly by the Central and Scottish Health Services Councils in 1962 to advise the Health Ministers on all medical aspects of vaccination and immunisation". It has 6 Sub-Committees as follows:

  1. (i) Measles Sub-Committee set up 1963.
  2. (ii) Poliomyelitis Sub-Committee set up 1963.
  3. (iii) Smallpox Sub-Committee set up 1963.
  4. (iv) BCG Sub-Committee set up 1968—(previously an advisory group from 1966).
  5. (v) Rubella Sub-Committee 1970—(previously an advisory group from 1969).
  6. (vi) Complications of Vaccination Sub-Committee set up in 1974.
In addition there are two advisory groups (with some co-opted members):
  1. (i) Influenza Advisory Group
  2. (ii) Tetanus Advisory Group
 The Joint Committee reports to the Central Health Services Council and the Scottish Health Services Planning Council. The Sub-Committees and Advisory Groups both report to the Joint Committee.