BCG Vaccine (Hansard, 3 May 2000)

§ Mr. Pickles
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the size of his Department's stock of BCG vaccine. [119107]

§ Yvette Cooper
As at the end of March 2000, stocks of BCG vaccine in its various presentations available to the National Health Service were as follows:

Intradermal 10 dose (without diluent)—zero

Intradermal 10 dose (with diluent)—17,729 packs × 5 vials

Intradermal 50 dose—1,079 packs × 5 vials

Percutaneous—zero.
The percutaneous presentation of the vaccine is used when administering vaccine by an alternative (multiple puncture) method applicable only in babies and young infants. In the absence of this presentation of the vaccine, the intradermal 10 dose (with diluent) presentation has been diverted for use in this important group.

§ Mr. Pickles
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the future of BCG vaccination programmes in schools. [119106]

§ Yvette Cooper
We are advised on all matters concerning immunisation by the independent expert committee, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. The committee keeps all immunisation policies under review. Recommendations on the use of BCG vaccine were last reviewed by the committee during 1996 and they advised that the schools immunisation programme should continue. This recommendation remains unchanged although, due to problems with supply of BCG vaccine, the schools part of the BCG programme is currently in suspension.