§ 41. Mr. Bryant Godman Irvineasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consideration she has given to the risk of whooping cough vaccination causing death and serious injury to small babies; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mrs. CastleThe Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, which advises me on the use of vaccines, earlier this year reviewed the use of whooping cough vaccine in the light of all available evidence including reports on adverse reactions collected by the Committee on Safety of Medicines. It remained of the opinion that on present evidence vaccination against whooping cough is still a valuable health measure and should continue to be recommended as a routine procedure. This information was conveyed58W to doctors in a letter from the Chief Medical Officer on 11th June 1974.
The Joint Committee decided however that a general review should be undertaken, and set up a sub-committee to consider the available information on risks of any of the immunisation procedures currently recommended. The Joint Committee has advised further studies; I am considering its advice.