§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the arrangements for general practitioners to call in children aged seven to 11 months in order for them to be vaccinated with haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine.
§ Mr. SackvilleHaemophilus influenzae B (Hib) immunisation was launched on 1 October this year as a major addition to the Government's programme for the prevention of childhood diseases. General practitioners were sent an information pack at the end of July, which explained the need for a phased schedule of immunisation to ensure that those children most at risk from invasive haemophilus disease—aged up to 12 months—were636W immunised first. In accordance with the schedule children aged between seven and 11 months are being called in for immunisation between October 1992 and March 1993. The objective is to immunise all children aged under four years by September 1993.
§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children have been inoculated with haemophilus influenzae type B since it was introudced between the ages of seven and 11 months; and how many such children have been refused such inoculation in the current year.
§ Mr. SackvilleInformation on the numbers of children immunised with Hib vaccine between the ages of seven and 11 months is not available. Arrangements have been made for all these children to be offered Hib vaccine in accordance with the call-up schedule provided for general practitioners and clinics. Two million doses of Hib vaccine had been made available nationally by the end of November.
§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent publicising the dangers of haemophilus influenzae to children between the ages of seven and 11 months.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe Department of Health and the Health Education Authority have worked together in preparing publicity about haemophilus influenzae b (Hib) immunisation. Publicity is being directed at parents with children aged under four years with special emphasis on children aged under one year because these children are more vulnerable to the disease. Expenditure on television advertising, local radio campaigns, display advertisements in the mother and baby press, leaflets and posters will amount to £1.4 million in the current financial year.
§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how much of the haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine has been made available to general practitioners in Devon; and if she will make a statement on the rationing arrangements for haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine to doctors in Devon for inoculation of children aged seven to 11 months.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe distribution of the two brands of haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine to the health districts in Devon for delivery to both general practitioners and clinics up to 30 November is set out. The number of doses of Act Hib required in each district were calculated according to a formula based on the local birth rate.
Health district Act Hib (mainly for children below 12 months of age. These children receive 3 doses each.) Hib TITER (for children between 1 and 4 years of age. These children receive 1 dose each.) Doses Doses Exeter 4,240 1,350 North Devon 3,150 2,270 Plymouth 10,460 3,700 Torbay 3,860 2,870 A further delivery of the Act Hib vaccine, 3,000 doses for Exeter and 500 doses for Plymouth, was due to be made on 7 December.
The orders that have been fulfilled and the amount planned for delivery over the coming months will be enough to enable all children in Devon under the age of 637W four to be immunised by September 1993. It is the responsibility of local health authorities to arrange equitable distribution of the vaccine they receive, according to the requirements of clinics and general practitioners, and to make any adjustments to the supply arrangements considered necessary.
§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement about the availability of haemophilus influenza type B vaccine; from where it is purchased; how much has been spent on it; and what problems have arisen in relation to distribution.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe vaccine is supplied by two manufacturers, Merieux under the name "Act Hib", and Lederle/Praxis under the name "Hib TITER". In the first two months of the programme, 2 million doses were distributed. By March 1993, the number of doses distributed will have increased to 5 million—more than enough to cover all children aged under one year and to allow for the immunisation of many older children 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. Expenditure so far has totalled £9 million, with further substantial payments to be made in this and future financial years. If there are any local problems on distribution, it is for the responsible health authority to take the necessary action to put matters right.