§ Mr. Wilkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services on what medical evidence he based his recent statements about the advisability of immunisation against whooping cough for young children.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke:We are advised on all medical aspects of vaccination, including vaccination against whooping cough, by the joint committee on vaccination and immunisation, a statutory body constituted under the National Health Service Act 1977. This committee keeps medical evidence relating to whooping cough vaccination under constant review. It has presented two reports in recent years—"Whooping Cough Vaccination" (1977) and "Whooping Cough" (1981).