§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services pursuant to his reply of 17th January, whether the view of his joint committee that whooping-cough disease carries a greater risk of encephalopathy than that arising from the vaccine is based solely on its estimated figure of 50 cases in the period 1964 to 1975 arising from the disease and the 20 vaccine induced cases reported to the Committee on Safety of Medicines or whether they have additional evidence; and, if so, if he will ask the joint committee to publish it.
§ Mr. Ennals, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 17th February 1977; Vol. 926, c. 307–10], gave the following information:
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation advises me and my right hon. Friends the Health Ministers, and does not normally publish its advice or the evidence on which it is based. However, my Chief Medical Officer intends, in consultation with the joint committee, to write to doctors next month about whooping-cough vaccination, and will include more details of the statistical basis of the committee's recommendations. I will send my hon. Friend a copy in due course.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services pursuant to his reply of 25th January 1977, whether it is 729W the case that publication of reports of research or investigation requested by the joint committee is always left to the discretion of those carrying out the research; and whether he is satisfied with this arrangement.
§ Mr. Ennals, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 17th February 1977; Vol. 926, c. 307–10], gave the following information:
Publication of the results of research funded by my Department is not left to the sole discretion of those carrying out the research. They are, subject to commercial confidentiality as necessary, entitled to publish their own results and are, as I said in my earlier reply—[Vol. 925, c. 193]—encouraged to do so; in special circumstances, my Department may assist in securing publication. Researchers are, however, under contract to report the results of their research to my Department which reserves the right to provide a summary of the findings to health or social services authorities.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services in what ways it is expected that the new whooping-cough vaccine now being developed at Porton Down will differ from the one currently being used; when it will be ready for trials; how many children it is anticipated will be required to take part in the trials; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Ennals, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 17th February 1977; Vol. 926, c. 307–10], gave the following information:
The principal difference between the new whooping-cough vaccine being worked on at Porton Down and the one in current use is that the new vaccine would be based on the immunity producing parts of the organism rather than the organism as a whole. It is hoped that by using these components and by adjusting the conditions of cultivation of the organism it will be possible to produce a vaccine with less risk of side effects and giving a higher degree of protection against the disease. It is not possible to forecast when the research and development phase will be successfully completed and until it is, I cannot anticipate the details of trials which would be appropriate.