HC Deb 14 October 1996 vol 282 cc759-60W
Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the consultation undertaken with(a) general practitioners and (b) potential recipients on the second MMR vaccination programme in schools begun on 1 October; and what is the estimated cost of the programme. [40493]

Mr. Horam

The introduction of a second dose of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine into the United Kingdom childhood immunisation programme was recommended by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, an independent expert committee which advises the UK health departments. The JCVI contains a wide range of expert knowledge, including people working in the field of child health, general practice and nursing. The Chief Medical Officer held a consultative meeting with senior representatives of the Royal College of General Practitioners, the general medical services committee of the British Medical Association, the Health Visitors Association, the Royal College of Nursing and the Royal College of Midwives before announcing the introduction of the second dose and received the full endorsement of these professional organisations for this improvement to the childhood immunisation programme. The chairman of the GMSC, along with representatives of the RCGP, HVA, RCN and RCM, attended the press launch of the second dose and gave it his full backing.

The recommendation to offer the second dose was a clinical decision. However, during the 1994 measles-rubella schools immunisation campaign the Department was made very aware of considerable support from parents, whose children were too young for the campaign, for their children to have boosters as well. The uptake of 92 per cent. achieved during the measles-rubella campaign was a clear demonstration of children's and parent's desire to be fully protected against these diseases. Consultation with the parents of potential recipients takes place between doctor and parent on an individual basis. Officials also met representatives of the Association of Parents of Vaccine Damaged Children before the introduction of the second dose.

The annual cost of the routine second dose is about £7 million.