HC Deb 08 June 1984 vol 61 cc291-2W
Dr. Roger Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of young girls when reaching the age of 14 years are found not to possess immunity against rubella; and if he will take further measures to improve this situation.

Mr. John Patten

As schoolgirls are not routinely tested for immunity to rubella, this information is not available. In 1982, 83 per cent. of schoolgirls who had reached the age of 14 had been immunised against rubella, and from returns received so far the figure for 1983 is expected to rise to 84 per cent. The national rubella campaign launched in November last year is intended to be a sustained national initiative over a three-year period aimed at increasing immunity to rubella among schoolgirls and susceptible women of child-bearing age.