§ Dr. GibsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whom he consulted in deciding(a) the number of units of smallpox vaccine required for production in the UK and (b) the number of individuals to be covered; [50791]
(2) if he will make a statement on the process by which it was decided to use the Lister strain of the smallpox virus for vaccination of the UK population. [50792]
§ Mr. Hutton[holding answer 18 April 2002]: The choice of smallpox vaccine strain, the number of units of vaccine and the number of individuals to be covered, was made on the basis of expert advice, under the auspices of a specially convened sub-group of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.
Information concerning quantities of vaccine or deployment are not made public for reasons of national security.
§ Dr. FoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Health which companies were asked to tender for the contract to supply smallpox vaccine for the NHS. [51916]
§ Mr. Hutton[holding answer 23 April 2002]: Detailed confidential discussions were held with five major pharmaceutical companies who were known to have vaccine manufacturing capability either in the UK or in Europe. Our requirements for the vaccine strain, timing, and delivery were made clear to each of the companies, who were then given time to submit their responses.