§ Mr. Ian StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the costs per batch of the(a) whole cell and (b) acellular DTP vaccine. [89008]
§ Ms JowellVaccines are purchased by dose, not by batch. The Department does not publicise the cost per dose of any childhood vaccines, including whole cell DTP, as this information is a commercially confidential part of the procurement process. The only acellular DTP vaccine which is licensed for use in the United Kingdom is made by SmithKline Beecham and has a list price of £11.00 per dose.
§ Mr. Ian StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 16 June 1999,Official Report, column 185, for what reasons the whole cell DTP vaccine is used in the UK, in preference to the acellular vaccine; and if he will make a statement. [89050]
§ Ms JowellWhole cell pertussis vaccine, used in combined DTP vaccine, is used in the United Kingdom because it is the safest and most effective pertussis vaccine available for the UK childhood immunisation programme.
Large vaccine trials in Sweden and Germany have shown that the pertussis whole cell vaccine that we use in the United Kingdom is amongst the most effective available. There is little difference in the level of local reactions and fever seen after use of the UK whole cell vaccine when compared to acellular pertussis vaccines given under the UK immunisation schedule. The protection given by the UK vaccine is as good as the best acellular vaccine tested and better than the rest. There is also some evidence that combining the acellular pertussis vaccine with Hib vaccine, which is given at the same time, may decrease the immune response to Hib which affects its suitability for routine use.