§ Mr. Kinnockasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of children has, by the age of 15 years, received the inoculations and vaccinations made available to them by the National Health Service since birth, taking each disease separately.
§ Mr. AlisonFigures are not available in the form asked for. Routine immunisations other than B.C.G. and rubella are normally given in the first two years of life. The latest information from local authorities' figures show that at this age approximately 80 per cent. of children are immunised against diptheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis and whooping cough, 34 per cent. against measles and 35 per cent. against smallpox.
B.C.G. vaccination is normally given between 10 and 13 years of age to tuberculin-negative children and it is estimated that about 75 per cent. of these children are vaccinated.
In September, 1970, rubella vaccination was introduced for young girls, with initial priority for those in their 14th year. By 31st December, 1970, about 112,000 girls had been so vaccinated amounting to approximately 27 per cent. of those already in or reaching their 14th year during the period.