HC Deb 27 November 2000 vol 357 cc465-6W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the cost of extending free influenza inoculations to(a) all over 60s and (b) all over 60s in poor areas; and if he will make a statement. [139028]

Yvette Cooper

This year, influenza immunisation policy has been extended to include everyone aged 65 and over without an underlying risk condition. At the same time the Department has set a target of 60 per cent. uptake of flu vaccine this year and a wide range of measures have been put in place both nationally and locally to increase influenza vaccine uptake from their traditionally low levels. Additional funding of up to £60 million has also been put in place for general practitioners and health authorities to achieve these targets.

Mr. Burstow

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS trusts in each NHS region are offering flu jabs to nursing and medical staff; how many social service departments are offering flu jabs to home care, care home and social work staff; and if the jabs are funded by(a) winter pressures funding and (b) another specific budget. [140298]

Yvette Cooper

Winter planning guidance was issued to the National Health Service and social services departments by the Department on 23 May 2000. This guidance stated that all NHS employers should offer, and social services employers should consider offering, flu immunisation to all staff involved in the delivery of care and/or support to patients. All health employers have now offered, or have mechanisms in place to offer, immunisation to their staff. Around three-quarters of social care employers intend to offer immunisation. No specific funding arrangement has been made for staff immunisation.

Mr. Swayne

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many persons aged over 65 years in South Gloucestershire have received influenza vaccinations this year; [138568]

(2) what is the average waiting time for persons aged over 65 years to receive an influenza vaccination in South Gloucestershire. [138569]

Yvette Cooper

Information from Avon Health Authority is that over 62 per cent. of persons over 65 years in South Gloucestershire have received flu vaccinations.

It is not possible to determine the average waiting times as call forward procedures vary between individual general practitioner practices.

Mr. Swayne

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the optimal time by which patients should have received an influenza vaccine for it to be effective in the winter 2000–01.[138570]

Yvette Cooper

Influenza activity is closely monitored through the Public Health Laboratory Service and Royal College of General Practitioners. Baseline activity of influenza does not usually rise significantly before the middle of December. Antibody levels may take up to 10–14 days to rise and therefore the ideal time for immunisation is October and November, although it is common for some general practitioners to run flu immunisation clinics in early December.