§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to enable all nurses to be routinely vaccinated against the blood-borne disease hepatitis B; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. CurrieThe Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation advises the Department on all aspects of vaccination. The JCVI's current advice on vaccination against hepatitis B is set out in the memorandum "Immunisation against Infectious Disease" which was issued to all doctors. It recommends that a number of categories of health care personnel, including nurses, should be considered for this vaccine.
At its meeting last month the JCVI discussed proposals for revising its guidance on hepatitis B vaccine and has now made recommendations to the Department. These are now being considered urgently.