HC Deb 15 July 1996 vol 281 c385W
Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many health care workers have been infected by the hepatitis B virus since 1988. [36342]

Mr. Horam

Confirmed cases of acute hepatitis B infection are reported by laboratories to the Public Health Laboratory Service under a voluntary and confidential surveillance system. Information on the number of laboratory confirmed cases of acute hepatitis B infection in health care workers reported to the Public Health Laboratory Service from 1988–95 in England and Wales, where occupation was stated, is given in the table.

Laboratory reports of acute hepatitis B infection in health care workers in England and Wales 1988–95 to the Public Health Laboratory Service
Number
1988 21
1989 16
1990 13
1991 5
1992 9
1993 5
1994 6
1995 5

1. Data for 1995 is provisional.

2. Data includes hepatitis B infections acquired both occupationally and non-occupationally in the United Kingdom and abroad.

3. Hepatitis B infection can occur asymptomatically and may not, therefore, be diagnosed.

Mr. Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to offer hepatitis B vaccination to persons outside the currently defined at risk groups. [36341]

Mr. Horam

The Department's current policy is to recommend immunisation for those groups at increased risk of infection because of their life style, occupation or other factors such as close contact with a case or carrier. This policy, including the risk groups for whom immunisation is recommended, is kept under review.