HL Deb 07 October 2002 vol 639 cc11-2WA
Lord Morris of Manchester

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What arrangements have been made to immunise service men and women against the threats of biological and chemical attack, if the Armed Forces should become involved in a major redeployment to the Gulf. [HL5675]

Lord Bach

The immunisation currently available to protect United Kingdom service personnel against exposure to biological warfare agents is a programme of voluntary immunisation against anthrax. I refer the noble Lord to the Answer I gave to the noble Lord, Lord Christopher, on 13 June 2002 (WA 47). Immunisation is one part of the package of capabilities which protects our troops and enables them to respond effectively to biological threats. This package includes detection capabilities, protective clothing and equipment, decontamination procedures, other medical countermeasures and training. Measures are in place to ensure that all personnel are up to date with all routine immunisations.

It is not possible to immunise against chemical warfare agents.

Lord Morris of Manchester

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What action has so far been taken to ensure that all members of the Armed Forces, particularly reservists, are up date with all the immunisation protection their service could necessitate. [HL5676]

Lord Bach

Vaccination status is an important aspect of the operational readiness of Armed Forces personnel, and it is the responsibility of commanding officers to ensure that personnel are up to date with the appropriate immunisations. Routine immunisations against hepatitis A, typhoid, meningococus C, rubella (for females and medical personnel), tetanus, diphtheria, polio and yellow fever are offered to members of the Armed Forces. Members of the regular forces, and reservists at high readiness for deployment, have their immunity maintained by routine booster immunisations. For other members of the reserve forces, immunisations should be brought up to date upon mobilisation. Units should also carry out pre-deployment checks of vaccination states.

Any individuals who on entry to the services lack a BCG scar and test as having low immunity will also be immunised against tuberculosis. Personnel operating in areas with a specific health hazard, and those in special occupational risk groups (such as medical personnel), may also be given additional vaccinations before deployment. All three services have routine administrative procedures in place to check the vaccination status of both regular and reserve personnel.

Lord Morris of Manchester

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What protocols relating to immunisation are in place to monitor British forces if they should redeploy to the Gulf region. [HL5678]

Lord Bach

It is Ministry of Defence policy that all vaccinations administered to personnel are to be recorded on their personal medical records. Any vaccination, administered to personnel while they are deployed are to be recorded on their operational medical record and the information transferred to their personal medical records on return to their home base.