§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will consider involving parents in the preparation of future leaflets produced to warn of the adverse effects of vaccinations along the lines of the co-operative scheme established in the United States. [8702]
§ Mr. HoramThe design of all immunisation and promotional materials by the Health Education Authority is informed by qualitative and quantitative research into parents' needs and concerns. At the developmental stage, qualitative research is undertaken to determine parents' perceptions of individual diseases and immunisations. Draft materials are then pre-tested with parents and modified to improve clarity and understanding.
In addition, quantitative tracking studies monitor awareness of promotional activity and materials, as well as which sources of information are most used and considered to be most useful by parents of young children. This research is also used to assess the information given to them by health workers.
§ Mr. SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the incidences of Crohn's disease in relation to vaccinations. [8648]
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§ Mr. HoramConsiderable research has already been conducted around the world and convincing links between immunisation and Crohn's disease have not been demonstrated.
§ Mr. SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to establish a compensation fund for victims of the adverse effects of vaccines along the lines of the scheme in place in the United States. [8701]
§ Mr. HoramNone. Compensation for alleged vaccine damage is a matter that should be determined by the courts. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security administers the Vaccine Damage Payment Act 1979. Payments made under the Act are not compensation but are intended to ease the present and future burdens of those suffering from vaccine damage and their families.
§ Mr. SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will establish a public inquiry into cases of adverse effects of the administration of immunisation against measles and rubella. [8703]
§ Mr. HoramThe Department has undertaken rigorous evaluation of the measles/rubella campaign, including the analysis of reports of suspected adverse reactions. This analysis concluded that measles/rubella vaccine was very safe and this conclusion was supported by two independent committees of clinical experts: the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, which advises the Department of Health, and the Committee on Safety of Medicines, which advises the Licensing Authority regarding the safety of vaccines. Details of adverse reactions have been published in "Current Problems in Pharmacovigilance", a copy of which is in the Library. This publication is sent to all doctors, pharmacists, dentists and coroners who are then free to comment publicly on the data. In view of this action and the very low reporting rate of suspected adverse reactions, there is no need for a public inquiry.