§ Dr. SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what information she has about any recent change in the incidence of whooping cough; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleAlthough the current winter is one in the epidemic cycle when increases would have been expected in whooping cough notifications, they have remained at exceptionally low levels.
Provisional notifications in 1993 were 4,030 against 11,663 in 1989, the comparable year in the epidemic cycle. These very low notifications reflect the very high immunisation coverage of 93 per cent. at November 1993.
§ Dr. SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures she has taken to ensure that all those children who were not vaccinated for whooping cough but who, following the change in medical advice, might be considered suitable for vaccination, have been contacted and given the opportunity to receive the vaccination.
§ Mr. SackvilleIt is for individual general practitioners to identify children who in the past did not complete their whooping cough immunisation.
§ Dr. SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what directions she has issued, following the change in medical advice given three years ago on the use of the whooping cough vaccination for children with a family history of fits.
§ Mr. SackvilleAdvice on whooping cough immunisation was issued to all doctors in the United Kingdom in July 1992 in the memorandum "Immunisation against Infectious Disease", copies of which are available in the Library. This provides guidance for doctors, practice nurses and health visitors on the use of the vaccine in children with a variety of family or personal histories.