§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will provide for mandatory rubella immunisation to girls who do not possess immunity on their 14th birthday.
§ Mr. John PattenI do not consider this necessary. In 1982, 83 per cent. of schoolgirls had been immunised against rubella by the age of 14, and in April this year the Chief Medical Officer wrote to all general medical practitioners and health authorities stressing the importance of securing further improvement in uptake. As the420W hon. Member will know, we recently announced plans for a sustained campaign, to start in the early autumn, to secure increased immunity to rubella among both schoolgirls and adult women.