§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how may hospital beds were occupied by influenza victims in November and December 1999 and January and February 2000 by patients who had not been vaccinated against flu. [119667]
§ Yvette CooperFigures for hospital activity during the winter period will not be available until the autumn this year, but information on whether or not these patients have been immunised against influenza is not collected.
§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that(a) at-risk groups, (b) essential service workers and (c) all those over 65 have flu vaccine available for next winter. [119669]
§ Yvette CooperThe Department is committed to improving influenza vaccine uptake in the recommended risk groups this year and an implementation group is currently considering the steps needed to deliver these improvements.
§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to reduce the age at which flu vaccine is made available. [120097]
§ Yvette CooperThe Department is committed to improving influenza vaccine uptake this year. Ministers are currently considering the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation's advice on the age above which flu vaccine is recommended as national policy.