HC Deb 08 July 1977 vol 934 cc688-9W
Mr. Kelley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the approved method of administering BCG vaccine to schoolchildren;

(2) if his medical advisers are satisfied that the level of the injection of BCG vaccine by the dermo-jet method can be effectively controlled.

Mr. Moyle,

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 7th July 1977; Vol. 934, c. 601], gave the following information:

The recommended method for administering BCG is by an intradermal injection using a syringe and needle. However, there is no reason to believe that the level of injection of BCG vaccine by the dermo-jet method, when used in skilled hands, cannot be effectively controlled.

Mr. Kelley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services in how many cases there has been a reported adverse reaction to BCG vaccine administered by the dermo-jet method.

Mr. Moyle,

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 7th July 1977; Vol. 934, c. 601], gave the following information:

Between July 1963 and June 1977, 162 suspected adverse reactions to BCG vaccinations of various kinds were reported to the Committee on Safety of Medicines. BCG vaccine is administered by injection into the skin by a variety of methods; the precise method is not usually specified in the adverse reaction reports. I am, therefore, unable to say what proportion of the reports related to the dermo-jet method.