HC Deb 02 May 2002 vol 384 cc1001-2W
Dr. Fox

To ask the Secretary of State for Health which health authorities do not provide the BCG vaccination. [38683]

Yvette Cooper

[holding answer 28 February 2002]: The Government have recommended continually since 1953 that BCG vaccine should be routinely offered to all school children aged 10 to 14. These recommendations are set out in the book "Immunisation against infectious disease" (1996).

The national schools BCG programme resumed in March 2001 following a period of suspension from September 1999 due to limited supplies of the vaccine. However, routine BCG vaccine is currently not being offered to school children in Oxford, Avon and York/Selby.

The Department will be working with all health authorities to ensure that they comply with the policy in the coming school year.