Flu (Hansard, 20 November 2000)

§ Mr. Pickles
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the availability of stocks of the influenza vaccine in the parliamentary constituency of Brentwood and Ongar. [138059]

§ Yvette Cooper
General practitioners order their supply of flu vaccine direct from manufacturers. This year there are five suppliers of flu vaccine. Unfortunately one of the manufacturers, Solvay, has encountered problems in growing a strain of the vaccine which has led to delays in some deliveries. Solvay have been in touch with the affected GPs to tell them details of any delays, but have confirmed that all ordered vaccine will be delivered by the end of November, in time to protect people this winter.
Latest figures as at 8 November, show that 9.8 million doses of vaccine have already been distributed. This, along with the amount of vaccine still to be delivered, is a sufficient amount to exceed our immunisation target of 60 per cent. uptake in those aged 65 and over, and to achieve a substantial rise in uptake among those at risk.

§ Mr. Pickles
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what target he has for the number of people over the age of 60 years to receive the influenza vaccine in the parliamentary constituency of Brentwood and Ongar by 31 January 2001; what percentage that is of the population of over 60s; and if there are sufficient stocks of the vaccine to meet his target. [138060]

§ Yvette Cooper
This year, we have extended the recommended groups for influenza immunisation to include everyone aged 65 and over, irrespective of their underlying health, as well as younger people in established high risk groups. This increase has led to record numbers of vaccine being made available—nearly 11 million this year compared to 7.8 million last year, an increase of 40 per cent.
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For the first time, health authorities have been set a target of achieving a minimum 60 per cent. uptake of immunisation in those aged 65 years and over in their areas. They will be required to monitor this, and have also been asked to supply the minimum data necessary for national monitoring purposes.

§ Mr. Pickles
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his targets for the vaccination programme against influenza by priority groups in the parliamentary constituency of Brentwood and Ongar; and if he will list those groups and indicate what progress he had made to achieve those targets on 31 October. [138061]

§ Yvette Cooper
For the first time, health authorities have been set a target of achieving a minimum 60 per cent. uptake of immunisation in those aged 65 years and over in their areas. They will be required to monitor this, and have also been asked to supply the minimum data necessary for national monitoring purposes.
Monitoring figures received as at 31 October from South Essex, North Essex and Barking and Havering health authorities, show uptake rates so far of 50 per cent., 49 per cent. and 49 per cent. respectively, in the 65 and over age groups.

§ Mr. Harvey
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what contingency plans his Department has (1) implemented for dealing with the possibility of a flu epidemic this winter; on what date such plans were implemented and at what cost to his Department; and if he will make a statement; [137127]
(2) evaluated for dealing with the possibility of a flu epidemic this winter; and if he will make a statement. [137126]

§ Yvette Cooper
[holding answer 13 November 2000]: Contingency plans for dealing with an epidemic or outbreak of flu are part of the detailed planning process to manage winter pressures. Planning has been taking place across health and social care since May of this year. Communities have been planning appropriately to manage demand, with influenza immunisation a key part of these plans.
Health authorities have appointed co-ordinators to take overall responsibility for influenza immunisation and to work with general practitioners to ensure that immunisation is made available to vulnerable members of the public.
This year the offer of immunisation against influenza has been extended to include all those over the age of 65. Funding of £60 million has been made available to support the immunisation of 'at risk' groups and a major publicity programme was launched in September to ensure that at risk groups in the community are aware of the opportunity to be immunised.
In addition, National Health Service employers are offering immunisation to all staff involved in the delivery of care and support to patients. Social services employers have been asked to consider offering immunisation to their staff, with approximately 75 per cent. of employers choosing to do so.