§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the cause of the delay in the introduction of the acellular vaccine in the United Kingdom.
§ Mrs. CurrieI assume that the hon. Member is referring to the acellular pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine.
The vaccine which has been developed at the Centre for Applied Microbiological Research is ready for testing in children as soon as regulatory requirements on safety are met. That vaccine will be compared with others in clinical trials, and the results of trials in Sweden, France and the United States will also be studied, ensuring that the range of vaccines available have been properly assessed for safety and efficacy before they are introduced generally in this country.