§ 66. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the supplies of anti-poliomyelitis vaccine to the City of Aberdeen 109W have been exhausted; and if he will make a statement indicating on what assessment he bases his allocation of anti-poliomyelitis vaccine to Scottish cities, towns and counties, in particular to Aberdeen; and what steps he is taking to maintain adequate supplies to those places.
§ 68. Mr. Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will outline the miscalculations made in the supply of anti-poliomyelitis vaccine; to what extent such miscalculations have resulted in a slowing-down or cessation of the anti-poliomyelitis campaign; and what immediate steps are planned to overcome the existing vaccine shortage.
§ Mr. MaclayMy right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Health dealt with the general supply arrangements yesterday. Early in April the normal pattern of demand was greatly extended by requests for vaccination from young adults. Neither the local authority estimates nor the Department's supply programme were framed to cover this group on such a large scale at this stage. Aberdeen Corporation originally asked for 2,000 doses for April and have already required 12,000, all of which have been supplied.
All local authorities now have supplies of vaccine. Further supplies coming forward will meet in full their original requirements for May and I have asked them to let me know at once whether they will require additional vaccine for May.