§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money is available in the NHS budget in(a) 2002–03 and (b) 2003–04 for the immunisation of all children under two years against pneumococcal disease; and if he will make a statement. [51927]
§ Yvette Cooper[holding answer 24 April 2002]: No decision on immunisation of all children under two years can be taken until the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has reviewed all available evidence and given advice to Ministers. Studies on the use of the vaccine within the UK schedule will not be complete until later in the financial year 2002–03.
The national health service budget for 2003–04 will increase by 7.6 per cent. in real growth terms. Decisions have not yet been taken regarding the allocation of funding.