§ Mrs. CurrieTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the most recent results for the immunisation campaign using the multiple mumps, rubella, measles vaccine; and what were the targets announced in 1988.
§ Mr. FreemanAs measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine was introduced in October 1988, the mid-point of the financial year, full uptake figures are not yet available. However, over the first 15 months since the vaccine's launch, more than 3 million doses have been distributed. This is double the calculated requirement for the two priority groups: children aged 12 to 15 months and those attending for their pre-school boosters. The most encouraging results can be seen in the weekly notification 855W for measles. Notifications for 1989 have been at the lowest recorded levels and this is likely to be a direct consequence of the keen support of the MMR programme. The uptake targets remain those agreed for the European region of the World Health Organisation—90 per cent. by 1990 for measles, tetanus, polio and whooping cough—and we hope to reach those targets in the financial year 1990–91.