§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the availability of vaccines to GP surgeries and community health clinics, with particular reference to triple vaccines and TB vaccines. [105519]
§ Yvette CooperThe only childhood vaccine that is currently in short supply to general practitioner surgeries is the pre-school Diphtheria/Tetanus (DT) booster vaccine. A new manufacturer has recently had its DT vaccine licensed for use in the United Kingdom and the first batches are likely to be released and available at the end of February 2000. This should resolve the recent shortages of this vaccine.
TB vaccines are normally used in hospitals, chest clinics and at schools sessions, and are not usually ordered by GPs. Both BCG and Tuberculin PPD vaccines have been in short supply over recent months, but continue to be available for high-risk patients.