HC Deb 22 May 2000 vol 350 c343W
Mr. Hunter

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the current review into vaccine usage, including wastage, which his Department has commissioned will be completed; if he will publish its findings; what the precise terms of reference of the review are; and if the review will receive representations from manufacturers of equipment for storing vaccines. [117635]

Yvette Cooper

We are currently conducting a review into vaccine usage, including wastage.

The terms of reference of the review are: to examine and report on the distribution, storage and handling of vaccines in samples of mixed rural/urban areas; to determine as far as possible the extent of vaccine wastage; to consider what changes in procedures might be desirable and recommend accordingly.

We will then publish a code of good practice and guidance on the handling of vaccines at local level.

We have a list of suppliers of equipment suitable for storage and transport of vaccines and if the review group is agreeable this list will be updated and added as an appendix to the code of good practice.

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