HC Deb 26 July 1993 vol 229 cc547-8W
Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many locations are licensed for the(a) manufacture and (b) storage of anthrax vaccine.

Mr. Sackville

Two sites in England are licensed for the manufacture of anthrax vaccine and five sites for its storage.

Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research she has commenced into side effects of the administration of(a) anthrax vaccine and (b) penicillin-resistant anthrax vaccine; and what were the results.

Mr. Sackville

Anthrax vaccine is a licensed product in accordance with the Medicines Act 1968. As with all licensed medicinal products, administering physicians are expected to report all serious suspected adverse reactions to the Committee on the Safety of Medicines, using the "yellow card" system. Such reports are carefully scrutinised and followed up where necessary. Penicillin resistance or sensitivity of an infecting organism is not related to vaccine composition.