HC Deb 08 March 1978 vol 945 cc704-6W
Mr. Patrick Jenkin

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what are the present available stocks of poliomyelitis vaccine; how many complete courses could be administered; and if he will make a statement;

(2) what is the programme for the manufacture of poliomyelitis vaccine.

Mr. Ennals

Under my Department's contract to buy poliomyelitis vaccine for use in the United Kingdom just under 2 million doses remain to be delivered when required. About a further 500,000 doses have been distributed ready for use. Together these will be sufficient for 800,000 complete basic courses of vaccination.

Negotiations are in progress with a company to provide sufficient vaccine to satisfy estimated demand until about the middle of 1979. Negotiations for other contracts can be expected to follow in due course. It is for suppliers to programme manufacture of poliomyelitis vaccine depending upon the estimated demand notified by their customers.

Mr. Patrick Jenkin

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps are being taken to publicise the desirability of poliomyelitis immunisation.

Mr. Ennals

A campaign to inform parents about the basic course of immunisation recommended for young children, including vaccination against poliomyelitis, is to be launched on 13th March. Publicity will mainly be in the form of advertisements in the national Press and women's magazines from 14th March; posters and leaflets will be available for display and distribution at clinics and in general practitioners' surgeries. The aim of the campaign is to provide information for parents of young children about the benefits and associated risks of vaccination.

Mr. Patrick Jenkin

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the latest figure for the percentage of children under 16 years of age who are immunised against poliomyelitis.

Mr. Ennals

The percentage of children under 16 years of age who have completed primary courses of immunisation against poliomyelitis cannot be calculated precisely but it is estimated to be about 85 per cent, at 31st December 1976.

Forward to