§ 89. Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the Committee on the Safety of Drugs approved 16W the use of the vaccine against German measles; what is his estimate of the quantity available during the coming year; what steps he intends to take to ensure a large programme of immunisation as the means of preventing deafness; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. John DunwoodyThe Committee on the Safety of Drugs released the vaccine for marketing on 26th January. Suppliers have told us that large-scale production has begun and they do not foresee any difficulty in meeting demands. On the use of vaccines I am advised by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, which will be considering rubella vaccine again at its next meeting in April. Meanwhile it is open to any general medical practitioner to offer rubella vaccine to any patient for whom he considers it desirable. It is available on National Health Service prescriptions.