HC Deb 19 April 1985 vol 77 cc293-4W
Mr. Stephen Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many deaths attributable to the pertussis vaccine were reported to the Committee on Safety of Medicines for the following years: 1964 to 1968, 1969 to 1974, 1975 to 1980 and 1981 to 1984; and how many such deaths occurred within 48 hours of administering the vaccine.

Mr. John Patten

The Committee on Safety of Medicines has received the following yellow card reports of deaths where an association with pertussis vaccine was suspected:

Years Total deaths Deaths occurring during the first two days following vaccination
1964 to 1968 10 8
1969 to 1974 17 3
1975 to 1980 17 8
1981 to 1984 7 4

It is very important to note that these reports of suspected associations between the vaccinations and deaths do not establish a casual relation ship between the two events.