§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to immunise the armed forces from smallpox and its variants. [25697]
§ Dr. MoonieWe have no immediate plans to immunise members of the armed forces against smallpox or its variants. We continually review the package of defensive measures against chemical and biological attack available to our armed forces, which includes immunisation, commensurate with an assessment of the threat. The Ministry of Defence has in place a series of research, development and procurement programmes aimed at ensuring that personnel are afforded optimum protection against chemical and biological warfare agents, including against smallpox.