§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the availability of the BCG vaccine against tuberculosis in schools in the Buckingham constituency. [17857]
§ Jacqui SmithOur policy is that all school children should be BCG immunised between ages 10–14 if they have not previously been immunised. Initially, in Buckinghamshire, this vaccine was offered to those students who were due to leave school in summer 2001. Where there has been sufficient vaccine and resources year 10 pupils were also offered testing and immunisation. Any current years 10 and 11 pupils who have not yet been offered the vaccine will be offered testing and immunisation during this academic year.
Further local information can be obtained from the chairman of the Buckinghamshire health authority.