HC Deb 11 May 2001 vol 368 cc406-7W
Mr. Drew

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the number of deaths ascribed to meningitis for each of the last 10 years. [160927]

Yvette Cooper

Data on the number of deaths attributable to meningitis for the last 10 years (1990–99) have been provided by the Office for National Statistics and are shown in the table. These figures include all causes of bacterial meningitis disease, such as haemophilus influenza type B, meningococcal, pneumococcal, and viral meningitis. It also includes deaths where the type of meningitis has not been specified. Data for deaths attributed to meningitis for 2000 are not yet available.

Number of deaths attributable to meningitis infection (all causes)
Year Number
1990 242
1991 269
1992 247
1993 253
1994 189
1995 241
1996 289
1997 272
1998 253
19991 209
1 provisional

Mr. Drew

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on proposals to inoculate foreign students studying in the UK against meningitis. [160928]

Yvette Cooper

As in line with previous years, we recommend that new first year students coming to United Kingdom universities should obtain meningococcal vaccine in their country of origin before coming to the UK or shortly after arrival.

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