§ Mr. David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what trials and evaluation he has made of the new diploid cell culture vaccine against rabies; and how it compares with the current duck embryo vaccine both for purposes of general immunisation and for the treatment of individual suspects.
§ Mr. MoyleThe human diploid cell rabies vaccine manufactured by Merieux in France has now been licensed for both pre- and post-exposure use in this country. The evidence submitted to justify this usage was examined by the Committee on Safety of Medicines and considered satisfactory. Human diploid cell rabies vaccine compares very favourably with current duck embryo rabies vaccine since, being made in human cells, it has not been found to sensitise the recipient. The antigenic response in prophylactic and post-exposure use is both good and rapid and fewer injections are required than when the duck embryo vaccine is used.
§ Mr. David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the current availability of the new diploid cell 102W culture vaccine against rabies to hospitals and general practitioners, respectively.
§ Mr. MoyleThe new human diploid cell rabies vaccine is available free of charge to doctors undertaking the vaccination from laboratories of the Public Health Laboratory Service at Colindale (London), Liverpool, Newcastle, Exeter, Leeds, Birmingham, Cardiff, Belfast, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Inverness.