HC Deb 30 March 1994 vol 240 cc892-3W
Ms Primarolo

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the incidence of diphtheria in EC countries in each year since 1991; and how many cases of diphtheria have been recorded in each year since 1988 in England and Wales.

Mr. Sackville

The information is shown in the table.

Number of notifications reported to Office of Population Censuses and Surveys of Diphtheria in England and Wales 1988–1992
Number
1988 1
1989 2
1990 2
1991 2
11992 8
1 Data for 1992 are provisional.

The information relating to European Community countries is not available.

Ms Primarolo

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to introduce a booster vaccination for diphtheria.

Mr. Sackville

We are currently considering the introduction of a booster dose.

Ms Primarolo

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths from(a) diphtheria and (b) hepatitis B have occurred in the last five years.

Mr. Sackville

The information is shown in the table.

The number of deaths from diphtheria ICD1 032 and hepatitis B ICD 070.2–070.3 for the last five years in England and Wales
Year Diphtheria Hepatitis B
1988 — 59
1989 — 58
1990 — 53
1991 — 53
1992 — 78
1 Ninth revision international classification of disease code.