§ Mr. SkinnerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what action she is taking to speed up the supply of children's HIB vaccines to district health authorities; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleMore than 2 million doses of HIB vaccine have been issued to health authorities since the vaccine was introduced on 1 October. The recommended programme for immunisation, which gives priority to the youngest children because they are at most risk from invasive haemophilus disease, required some 850,000 doses in October and November. This has left a substantial balance to allow for the immunisation of older children318W who would otherwise be called in at a later stage in the programme. The objective is to immunise all children under four years of age by September 1993.
It is the responsibility of health authorities to arrange equitable distribution of the vaccine they receive, according to requirements, and to make any adjustments to the supply arrangements considered necessary. Continuing supplies of HIB vaccine should ensure that a total of 5 million doses will be distributed in the first six months of the programme.