§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the Government's policy on informing young people about their rights concerning immunisation; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleConsent has to be obtained before any immunisation can be given.
The patients charter requires information to be given when treatment is proposed. In line with this, information prepared by the Health Education Authority, which is used by medical staff and provided to parents and teenagers, now contains more details about issues relevant to immunisation. The Health Education Authority produce a leaflet about rubella immunisation for distribution to teenage girls, copies of which will be placed in the Library. They are also developing leaflets for BCG immunisation and the soon to be introduced diphtheria/tetanus booster dose; this latter leaflet will also contain information about the school leavers polio booster dose.