§ Mr. Gouldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) to what extent children suffer permanent injury as a result of vaccination;
(2) what proportion of children who are vaccinated with the triple vaccine suffer permanent injury;
(3) what measures have been taken to reduce the risk of injury to children as a result of vaccination.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisI would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Eastleigh (Mr. Price) on 4th November.—[Vol. 899, c.99–100.]
Information on the safety, quality and efficacy of new vaccines is carefully considered by the Committee on Safety of Medicines before they are licensed. The Committee also considers any new information which becomes available on existing vaccines. Each batch of vaccine is tested in ways laid down in the licence or under regulations, and the results of these tests are considered by the National Institute for Biological Standards and Controls. In certain cases the tests are repeated by the institute.
In addition, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation regularly monitors vaccination programmes recommended as public policy.
Doctors are informed about contra indications to vaccination so that they may avoid incurring increased risks of serious adverse reactions.