§ Mr. Kinnockasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the take-up level of inoculations and vaccinations made available to children of up to 15 years of age through the National Health Service ; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AlisonNo. We should like to see higher acceptance rates especially for vaccination against measles and rubella. For vaccinations generally, to assist doctors in the health education aspect of their task and to inform and interest parents the 171W Health Education Council provides leaflets and posters. As regards measles the Chief Medical Officer of my Department has written to medical officers of health urging them to make vigorous efforts to secure an adequate level of vaccination. Against rubella the vaccination campaign, aimed at young girls between their 11th and 14th birthdays, was started only a year ago.