§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to increase the level of immunisation against poliomyelitis and to monitor the extent to which parents may be influenced in their decision as to whether to have their child immunised against poliomyelitis by publicity about possible adverse effects of other vaccines such as whooping cough.
§ Dr. VaughanThe Government attach great importance against poliomyelitis and have encouraged health authorities to promote the uptake of all vaccines. The present level of uptake of polio vaccine is over 80 per cent. and has led to the almost total eradication of the disease. Eight cases were notified in 1979, three in 1980 and three in 1981. The uptake of polio vaccine is monitored nationally. There was a fall in uptake in 1975 and 1976, probably associated with the adverse publicity about whooping cough vaccine, but uptake rates are now higher than they were before this.