§ Mr. PickthallTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what representatives of parents' organisations participate in his Department's studies of immunisation policy. [575301
§ Ms Blears[holding answer 23 May 2002]: We do not routinely seek the views of parent organisations. However, over the course of one year the Department consults a sample of 3,000 mothers. The purpose of this is to elicit their knowledge, attitudes and understanding of the immunisation programme. The information gained from this exercise is then used to inform our communications with health professionals and parents.
A lay representative is shortly to be appointed to the joint committee on vaccine and immunisation who advise the Government on immunisation policy.