§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the relative cost of delivering immunisation by prefilled syringe and the traditional method of vial, syringe and needle.
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§ Mr. SackvilleRequests for the provision of prefilled syringe presentations are being carefully monitored. At present, demand is only a small proportion of the totality in respect of vaccine supplied for the childhood immunisation programme. New contracts for most centrally purchased vaccines are due from 1 October 1994. The relative costs will be considered at the adjudication stage of the contracting procedures.
§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health to which health authorities she has written requesting that they restart the Bacille-Calmette-Guérin immunisation programme.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe Department has not written to any health authorities requesting that they restart the schools Bacille-Calmette-Guérin immunisation programme. The importance of the programme has been drawn to the attention of all regional health authorities through the regional review process; regions have been asked to consider carefully whether their arrangements to protect against tuberculosis are adequate. We are aware that some districts which have suspended their programme are reconsidering their policies.