§ Mrs. Margaret EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the most recent figures for the uptake of measles, pertussis, diphtheria and tetanus, and polio immunisation in each of the countries of the European Community.
§ Mr. Dorrell[holding answer 21 May 1990]: The latest confirmed figures for England are for 1988–89, as follows:
Per cent. Diphtheria, tetanus and polio 87 Measles 80 Pertussis 75 My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland are responsible for the figures in those countries, but I understand that they have each achieved comparable levels to England.
A programme for more rapid evaluation of immunisation uptake in England is undertaken by the public health laboratory service's communicable disease surveillance centre, and I am pleased to say this indicates that by February 1990 uptake had reached 88 per cent. for diphtheria, tetanus and polio, 85 per cent. for measles and 80 per cent. for pertussis.
The most recent figures for the other countries in the European Community are as follows:
Diphtheria Pertussis1 Tetanus Polio Measles Belgium 95 97 50 Denmark 88 100 82 France 96 97 41 Germany (Federal Republic) 97 95 50 Greece 83 98 82 Ireland (Republic of) 45 90 63 Italy 88 95 21 Luxembourg 79 90 70 Netherlands 97 97 93 Portugal 78 80 84 Spain 74 78 81 1 Figures for pertussis are not available separately. The figures shown in the table are for 1988, except in the cases of France, Germany and Ireland, where figures for earlier years are the latest available. I should also point out that the basis for calculating immunisation uptake varies widely from country to country. The basis used in this country—the number of children immunised by their second birthday against the number of such children resident in the district—is acknowledged to be one of the most reliable and accurate available.