Immunisation (Hansard, 3 July 2000)

§ Mr. Gardiner
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of children have received the BCG immunisation in(a) London, (b) Brent and Harrow Health Authority area and (c) England and Wales; and what target the Government have set for such immunisation. [127348]

§ Yvette Cooper
The information available about the number of children who have been immunised with BCG vaccine is contained in the Statistical Bulletin "NHS Immunisation Statistics, England 1998–99". Copies of the bulletin are in the Library and it can also be found on the Department of Health website www.doh.gov.uk/public/ab9928.htm. Because the immunisation programme is two-pronged, some are given the vaccine shortly after birth neo-natal and others at 10–14 years as long as they are tuberculin skin test negative, reliable estimates of coverage are not readily available. As a result targets are not set for BCG immunisation.
Our BCG policy is that it should be offered first and foremost to all those considered to be at a higher risk of exposure to tuberculosis such as certain neo-nates and those whose occupation may put them at increased risk (eg. health service and veterinary staff). In addition the policy includes those classed at "normal" risk such as school children between the age of 10 and 14 years.

§ Mr. Gardiner
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of children have been immunised against measles, mumps and rubella in(a) London, (b) Brent and Harrow Health Authority area and (c) England and Wales; and what target the Government have set for such immunisation. [127349]

§ Yvette Cooper
The information available about the percentage of children immunised against measles, mumps and rubella nationally and by health authority is contained in the Statistical Bulletin "NHS Immunisation Statistics, England: 1998–99", copies of which are available in the Library and can also be found on the Department of Health website www.doh.gov.uk/public/sb9928.htm. The target set for immunisation coverage is 95 per cent. for all vaccines by age two.