§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the latest estimate of the number of people in the United Kingdom infected by the hepatitis B virus; and what proposals he has to make available to National Health Service patients the new Belgian genetically engineered vaccine.
§ Mrs. CurrieLaboratory reports indicate that currently about 1,300 cases a year of hepatitis B are diagnosed. Vaccination against the disease is already available under the National Health Service in certain circumstances. Any company proposing to introduce a new vaccine would first need a product licence. Information about applications for such licences is confidential.