§ 23. Mr. Madelasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the current position on research into the effectiveness and safety of whooping cough vaccine; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. VaughanStudies have been carried out throughout the recent epidemics as to the protection afforded to vaccinated children. Preliminary results have shown the whooping cough vaccine to be effective in about 80 per cent. of cases. Full results from the national childhood encephalopathy study into possible relationship between whooping cough vaccination and brain damage should be available next year. Interim results are reassuring.