HC Deb 24 February 1997 vol 291 cc73-4W
Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consultations he has had with the medical profession in relation to the inclusion in the contract for general practitioners of the vaccination of specified target groups against influenza. [17447]

Mr. Horam

We have had no recent representations from the medical profession on this issue. General practitioners already immunise at risk groups against influenza as part of the general medical services.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what pilot projects he has instituted into the efficacy of mass influenza vaccination of target groups in terms of reduced incidence of(a) influenza and (b) complications arising from influenza; [17445]

(2) if he will give figures for the use of influenza vaccine in each of the past five years; what guidelines he has issued in relation to the specifying of target groups for influenza vaccinations; what assessment he has made of the adequacy of these targets; and if he will make a statement. [17446]

Mr. Horam

The number of doses of influenza vaccine supplied to general practitioners and health authorities in England and Wales are as follows:

Year Doses
1992–93 4,678,000
1993–94 5,692,000
1994–95 6,114,000
1995–96 5,964,000
1996–97 16,226,000
1 Provisional.

Broadly, influenza immunisation is recommended for people with underlying diseases which put them at risk of serious illness should they develop influenza. This includes people with chronic respiratory disease such as chronic bronchitis and asthma, chronic heart disease, kidney failure, diabetes and diseases or treatment which suppress the immune system. Immunisation is also recommended for all people in long-term residential care, where influenza can spread very rapidly and cause great disruption.

Every year the Chief Medical Officer issues guidance to doctors about influenza. This includes information about the expected strain, the vaccine available and which patients should be given the vaccine. Further information is available in the memorandum, "Immunisation against Infectious Disease". The Department of Health has produced a leaflet for patients about immunisation against influenza which was made available through doctors' surgeries and post offices.

The joint committee on vaccination and immunisation keeps its recommendations for influenza immunisation policy under review. Several recent studies, some funded by the Department of Health, have demonstrated the efficacy of influenza vaccine in reducing influenza and its complications in the target groups.