§ 11. Dr. Vincent Cable (Twickenham) (LD)If he will make a statement on the launch of the new five-in-one vaccine. [188511]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Miss Melanie Johnson)On 10 August, we announced that a new combined vaccine would be introduced for babies from the end of September onwards. While the current vaccines are very safe, the new vaccine is even safer. A range of clear factual information resources for parents and health professionals has been produced to support the programme.
§ Dr. CableCan the Minister explain the terrible confusion that arose at the launch when the Department of Health leaked to the press information about the new vaccine before GP surgeries had been informed of the detail? That resulted in the leading medical centre in my constituency approaching me because hundreds of calls had been received from anxious parents. In particular, can she clear up the issue of the safety of the old stock of vaccine?
§ Miss JohnsonThere are no issues about safety in relation to this. As I said, the old vaccine is very safe and the new vaccine is even better for reasons that I can explain later.
On the hon. Gentleman's point about the leak, it was not a leak. I understand that a relatively junior member of staff in the Health Protection Agency informed somebody about the proposed change and that that person then informed a national newspaper. In consequence, about a week ahead of a letter that was proposed to go out informing the service—[Interruption.] But not from the Department of Health. It was not a Department of Health leak, but something from an agency that came out without the chief medical officer's letter that was due the following week. We got the letter out as quickly as we could and staff have been informed. I understand that the new vaccination is receiving a very warm welcome from people who welcome the development of the new safer vaccine that is offered by the five-in-one.