Measles, Mumps and Rubella Vaccines

HC Deb 04 November 1998 vol 318 cc617-8W

Mrs. Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will assess the findings contained in the paper by Robert E. Weibel and others published in Paediatrics March 1998 on the links between acute encephalopathy associated with attenuated measles vaccines. [56968]

Ms Jowell

[holding answer 29 October 1998]: The paper by Weibel et al describes a group of children with neurological events following measles vaccines. All those cases included were selected through earlier application to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Programme in the United States. We are advised by the Joint Committees on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) that the information in the paper is not evidence that the vaccines caused the claimed outcomes, and is simply a descriptive study without appropriate control populations or avoidance of bias implicit in the case selection process. The JCVI is an independent expert committee which advises the United Kingdom health departments on matters concerning immunisation.

Mrs. Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Health in what quantities(a) myelin basic protein and (b) aluminium occurred in pre-1992 measles and MMR vaccine. [56963]

Ms Jowell

[holding answer 29 October 1998]: The Department has been advised by the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control that the techniques involved in the manufacture of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine have been specifically designed to prevent myelin basic protein from entering at the start of the manufacture and, if there were any, then such presence would subsequently be removed during the manufacture. No aluminium is involved in the manufacture of measles or MMR vaccines.

Mrs. Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what brands of MMR vaccine were withdrawn from use in September 1992; and what notice was given to other manufacturers about this withdrawal. [56964]

Ms Jowell

[holding answer 29 October 1998]: The supply of Pluserix and Immravax measles, mumps and rubella vaccines, two vaccines which contained Urabe strain mumps vaccines, was discontinued in September 1992. As soon as the Department had clear evidence that there was a significant problem with Urabe mumps vaccines, not occurring with the remaining brand, MMR II which contained Jeryl Lynn mumps vaccine, the Department moved quickly to discontinue purchase of the two Urabe strain vaccines. The manufacturers of the MMR II vaccine were advised in September 1992 of the Department's requirements for more vaccine to prevent disruption to the childhood programme.

Mrs. Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Health which medical officer approved the Pluserix and Immuruvax brands of MMR vaccine. [56966]

Ms Jowell

[holding answer 29 October 1998]: The decision to grant a licence for any medicinal product is taken by the licensing authority in the light of reports prepared by professional medical, pharmaceutical and scientific staff at the Medicines Control Agency, together with advice from the Committee on Safety of Medicines where appropriate.

Mrs. Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list each of the years since 1969 in which vaccinations or revised vaccinations were introduced for mumps, measles or rubella. [56973]

Ms Jowell

[holding answer 29 October 1998]: Measles immunisation was introduced in 1968; rubella immunisation was introduced in 1970 for girls aged 11–14 years; mumps was introduced as part of the Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine in 1988 and a second dose of MMR was introduced in 1996.

Mrs. Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if Priorix contains the same ingredients, and in the same quantities, as MMR vaccine. [56977]

Ms Jowell

[holding answer 29 October 1998]: Priorix is a measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. The Summary of Product Characteristics contains details of the contents of Priorix, copies of which are in the Library.

Mrs. Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many doses were in standard batches of(a) attenuated measles vaccine and (b) MMR in the period 1986 to 1989. [56978]

Ms Jowell

[holding answer 29 October 1998]: Batches of vaccine vary in the number of doses they contain. Specific information on the number of doses per batch is held by the vaccine manufacturers.