§ Mr. PicklesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the progress made in identifying an additional supplier for the BCG vaccine. [118603]
§ Yvette CooperThe Department has identified other manufacturers of BCG vaccines worldwide and is investigating these possibilities together with experts from the National Institute of Biological Standards and Control, the Medicines Control Agency and National Health Service Supplies. This work is still ongoing due to the complex nature of ensuring the safety and efficacy of any alternative source. Products from different manufacturers vary in their composition. We will need to be assured of the safety and efficacy of these products, that they can satisfy current United Kingdom licensing requirements and also that supply is such that further interruptions to the programme, once reinstated, will not occur. We are not yet in a position to be able to confirm when or if an alternative source will be available.