HC Deb 19 January 1970 vol 794 cc30-2W
88. Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the epidemic of influenza and measures taken to combat its spread.

Mr. Crossman

A sharp increase in influenza was first reported from parts of Kent and south-east London in the week ended 13th December, 1969. During the second half of December outbreaks of considerable intensity occurred in all regions of England and Wales. These developed at first most rapidly in the South East and West Midland regions; the last regions to become heavily involved were the North West and East Anglia. Returns from general medical practitioners indicate that outbreaks in the South East, South West and North East regions reached a peak at the end of December.

Requests for hospital accommodation for patients suffering from respiratory diseases rose steeply in the major cities, particularly in London and in Birmingham. Applications for hospital admission through the Emergency Bed Service for London reached a maximum in the last week of December.

New claims to sickness benefit in England, Wales and Scotland for the fortnight ended 6th January, 1970, which covered the Christmas holiday period, totalled 1,084,000 (provisional figure) which is higher than any two consecutive weeks since the influenza epidemic of the autumn of 1957 when 1,106,000 new claims to sickness benefit were recorded in the fortnight ended 8th October. New claims for the week ended 13th January totalled 635,000.

Deaths assigned to influenza and influenzal pneumonia in England and Wales for the week ended 9th January 1970 totalled 2,850 (provisional figure), which represents a mortality rate from influenza greater than any experienced in a similar period since the winter of 1950–51. The deaths have occurred mainly in the older age groups, about 90 per cent. of them in persons aged 55 years or more. There have been corresponding rises in deaths assigned to pneumonia and bronchitis to many of which influenza virus infection may have contributed.

There are no practical means of preventing the spread of influenza in the general community. Influenza vaccine is available but I have been advised by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation that a decision to make its use routine could not be expected to make a significant contribution to the control of outbreaks. The decision whether or not vaccination is desirable for an individual patient must lie with his own medical practitioner. The Joint Committee's advice is that influenza vaccine may be indicated for the protection of persons suffering from certain chronic diseases in whom an attack of influenza might aggravate their disability or prove fatal, and might also be offered with advantage to children in residential establishments and to those. such as nurses and doctors, at special risk of infection because of their contact with patients. The Chief Medical Officer reminded doctors, including medical officers of health of local authorities responsible for ambulance services, of this advice early in November.

89. Mr. Wyatt

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services on the basis of what evidence his Department issued statements on several occasions before the recent influenza epidemic to the effect that there was no influenza epidemic and that one was not expected.

Mr. Crossman

The Department has not issued any statement to the effect that an epidemic of influenza was not expected. As soon as information became available of a sharp increase in parts of England and Wales the Department issued on 10th December 1969 a statement to this effect. Detailed influenza statements have been issued weekly since 12th December showing the rapidly rising trends which occurred in subsequent weeks.

Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what special arrangements were made to provide influenza vaccine during the recent epidemic, particularly for those in specially vulnerable employment such as ambulance drivers.

Mr. Crossman

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to another Question from him today.