HC Deb 03 December 2002 vol 395 c750W
35. Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the availability of smallpox vaccine. [82651]

Mr. Hutton

Yesterday I gave a written ministerial statement setting out how the national health service would respond to a potential smallpox terrorist attack.

There are three components to the Department's preparation for response to a possible smallpox emergency: improved vaccine stocks, a plan of action setting out the steps to be taken in the event of an outbreak, and as a first step, immunising staff who could deal safely with any potential smallpox cases.

Copies of the Department's smallpox plan have been placed in the Vote Office and will be placed in the Library.