§ 21. Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the adequacy of NHS resources to cope with flu and flu-type illnesses this winter.
§ Mr. SackvilleEvery year the Department runs an immunisation campaign aimed at people who are at particular risk of serious illness or death.
At the first sign of an impending epidemic, the Department alerts health authorities and trusts so that local contingency plans can be made.
The national health service reimburses general practitioners for the purchase of influenza vaccine. The cost of vaccine purchased during 1993–94 was about £27 to £28 million. Year-on-year increases in uptake are expected.