HC Deb 03 December 1996 vol 286 c640W
Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to implement the World Health Organisation's recommendation to introduce a universal vaccination policy to protect children from hepatitis B. [6962]

Mr. Horam

In view of the very low incidence of hepatitis B in the United Kingdom, our current policy is to target immunisation at groups at increased risk of infection. However, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, which provides the Government with independent expert advice on these matters, keeps our immunisation policies under review, taking account of all relevant factors including any recommendations from the World Health Organisation.