§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the cost of care and treatment of a rubella baby; and if he is satisfied with the programme of vaccination.
§ Mr. MoyleI regret that no estimate is available of the costs of caring for child-rent handicapped by rubella. On the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, rubella vaccine is offered to all girls between their eleventh and fourteenth birthdays and to women of child-bearing age who have been shown to be sero-negative by a preliminary blood test. Since the programme began only in 1970, it will be some years before the benefits of vaccinating girls are fully felt in the child-bearing age group. We are currently examining, in consultation with the Health Education Council, ways of improving uptake among adult women.