HC Deb 07 March 2003 vol 400 cc1243-4W
Mr. Keetch

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the vaccines given to troops preparing to go to the Gulf, stating in each case(a) whether they have been approved by the Medicines Control Agency and (b) whether they are administered voluntarily or compulsorily; and if he will make a statement. [92142]

Mr. Tyler

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish details of the current precautionary inoculation programme for troops likely to serve in the Gulf. [93200]

Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the course of inoculations that are being given to HM Forces personnel being deployed for possible operations against Iraq; and which drugs are administered and over what period of time. [93646]

Dr. Gibson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what vaccines are being administered to UK troops deploying to the Gulf in addition to anthrax vaccine. [95926]

Annabelle Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what inoculations are being offered to members of the British armed forces for the purposes of health protection prior to potential conflict in the Gulf. [99677]

Dr. Moonie

[holding answer January 2003]: All vaccines offered to Service personnel are administered on a voluntary basis. The standard Service public health vaccinations or boosters listed below, all of which are licensed by the Medicines Control Agency, are offered to personnel deploying to the Gulf region if they are not already up-to-date with these vaccinations:

Hepatitis A/Typhoid

Meningococcal Meningitis C

Poliomyelitis

Tetanus/Diphtheria

Tuberculosis

Yellow Fever

Rubella (Female/healthcare personnel only)

In addition, all troops deploying on operations to the Gulf are being offered immunisation against anthrax. Immunisation against Hepatitis B is offered to certain groups at special occupational risk if they are not already up-to-date with this vaccination. Immunisation against Rabies is also offered to personnel deploying to the Gulf region who work with animals. These vaccinations are also licensed by the Medicines Control Agency.

Vaccination against smallpox is being offered to a cohort of specialist NBC personnel and certain medical personnel, some of whom are deploying to the Gulf region. The smallpox vaccine is not currently licensed, but has been tested for potency and is being used on the basis of expert medical advice.

All Service personnel deploying to the Gulf region are also being provided with antimalarial tablets which should be started a week before deployment, and continue until 28 days after leaving a malarial area.

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