Mr. JimLester asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps his Department has taken to have sufficient vaccine available to protect the public from the new strain of influenza virus, about which the World Health Organisation have issued a warning for next winter.
§ Dr. OwenI refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Bedford (Mr. Skeet), the right hon. Member for Wanstead and Woodford (Mr. Jenkin) and my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Mr. Moonman) on 6th April—[Vol. 909, c.147–9.] From this he will see that arrangements have already been made to ensure supplies of vaccine are 70W available for those at particular risk and that I have promised to make a further statement towards the end of this month in the light of further advice from the Advisory Group on Influenza.