§ The Countess of Marasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many members of the British, United States and other coalition forces were given smallpox vaccinations; and, given that smallpox had been eradicated, what the perceived threat was and why these vaccinations were given; and [HL3838]
Who authorised the use of smallpox vaccine on British troops; who manufactured and supplied it, and whether a genetically modified, recombinant or wild strain of the virus was used. [HL3839]
§ Lord GilbertThe position as regards the vaccination of UK Service personnel against smallpox prior to and during the Gulf conflict was set out in my Written Answer of 21 April (WA 200). I am withholding any further information concerning the very small number of UK Service personnel who were vaccinated against smallpox in late 1990, for reasons unrelated to the Gulf conflict, under Exemption 1 (Defence, Security and International Relations) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. The immunisation status of US and other coalition forces during the Gulf conflict is a matter for the governments concerned.