§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the cost of offering flu vaccine to all front-line social care workers. [4318]
§ Yvette Cooper[holding answer 17 July 2001]: As last year, National Health Service employers have been asked to offer influenza immunisation to employees directly involved in patient care. Social care employers should consider similar action. The level of cost will depend on take-up.
234W It has been estimated that there are approximately 300,000 "front line" social care staff. There are five manufacturers supplying flu vaccine this year at varying prices. If all 300,000 staff received influenza immunisation, then based on the weighted mean average list price of vaccine the cost would be approximately £1.6 million.
Not all social care employers have occupational health functions; there may be additional costs to these employers if they have to make contractual arrangements with local general practitioner practices or external third party companies to provide an immunisation service for their staff.
§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to increase the take-up of flu vaccine among people aged over 65 years. [4077]
§ Yvette Cooper[holding answer 17 July 2001]: Following on from last year's successful campaign, we are this year extending the minimum target uptake for influenza immunisation in people aged 65 and over from 60 per cent. to 65 per cent.
The Department has met with the vaccine manufacturers to ensure sufficient supplies of vaccine will be made available; general practitioners and other health professionals have been informed of this increased target via a letter from the Chief Medical Officer. Nursing and Pharmaceutical Officers and GPs have been asked to order sufficient supplies of vaccine; we are also planning once more to use national and local media (newspaper and television) to publicise the campaign.