§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if his Department has studied the work at the Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research on developing an improved whooping cough vaccine; when clinical trials are envisaged; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MacKay:My Department is aware of the centre's work on whooping cough vaccine. I understand that satisfactory progress is being made and that studies to determine potency and toxicity are now being undertaken. Clinical trials would follow if those studies were successful.
§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many infants in Scotland between the ages of 2 years and 5 years have started on a course of whooping cough—pertussis—protection following the recommendations of Health Ministers; and whether these children are being recommended a course of vaccination as are infants under the age of one year.
§ Mr. John MacKay:The information requested in the first part of the question is not available centrally. Quarterly returns on vaccinations made by health boards refer only to the number of completed courses in each preceding quarter.
The course of vaccination against whooping cough, that is three doses of the vaccine, is recommended for all children up to the sixth birthday.