§ Mr. BurdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how clinicians, general practitioners and primary care staff are kept updated on vaccine availability, and what plans he has to improve the arrangements. [119258]
§ Yvette CooperVaccine Update is a monthly newsletter produced by the National Health Service Purchasing and Supply Agency (formally NHS Supplies). It is the primary source of advice for health professionals on vaccine availability. About 7,000 copies are centrally distributed each month and further copying occurs locally. 169W There is a contact name and telephone number on this newsletter for inquiries. The central distributor, Farillon, also answers inquiries.
Plans are in hand to alter the format of this newsletter to allow it to be available via the Internet. Any urgent communications can also be made to health professionals via the Public Health Link system, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) letters and the CMO Update.
§ Mr. BurdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received concerning the distribution arrangements for the national vaccination programme and the performance of Farillon. [119257]
§ Yvette CooperThe contract to provide centralised storage and distribution of vaccine to support the childhood immunisation campaign is currently held by Farillon Ltd.
The NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency (formally NHS Supplies) monitors all aspects of this contract as an agency of the Department.
Any representations from those involved in the vaccine programme are directed to Farillon and brought to the attention of NHS PSA. A monthly meeting is held between the Department, the National Health Service Purchasing and Supply Agency and Farillon to review performance. Any concerns are dealt with at such times.
§ Mr. BurdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for improving the distribution system for the national vaccination programme. [119259]
§ Yvette CooperFarillon Ltd. currently provides the storage and distribution of vaccine to support the childhood immunisation programme.
A recent example of a new initiative in distribution has been the allocation model used to supply the new Meningococcal C conjugate vaccine. This has enabled over 10 million doses to date of this vaccine to be distributed equitably across the country in line with the roll-out of the campaign. No other country in the world currently has the facility to provide such a service with direct delivery to general practitioners on a weekly basis through a guaranteed cold chain computerised service. GPs are now able to review their future supplies through Internet access. The distribution arrangements are kept under continual review.