HC Deb 07 December 1982 vol 33 cc441-2W
Dr. Roger Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to prevent wastage of vaccine through the avoidance of distributing multi-dose packs of vaccine which have to be discarded after only a fraction has been used within the time limit recommended.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

The use of single-dose containers for vaccines is recommended in the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation's booklet "Immunisation Against Infectious Disease', which was published by the Health Departments in May 1982 and circulated to the medical and nursing professions. Manufacturers are moving progressively in this direction. Doctors have been asked to organise their vaccination sessions so that maximum use is made of vaccine from multi-dose containers, by arranging to vaccinate a number of persons at each session.