41. The Rev. LI. Williamsasked the Minister of Health if he will make a statement on the availability in general medical practice of the new influenza inoculation.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithVaccination against influenza is available under the general medical service, it being for the practitioner to decide whether or not it is desirable in an individual case. As, however, I indicated in my reply to a Question on 6th November, from the information and expert advice that are available to me there is at present no evidence to suggest that there will be a major epidemic of influenza in this country during the coming winter; nor is it possible to identify in advance the particular strain of influenza virus that would cause such an epidemic if one should occur.