Anthrax (Hansard, 31 October 2002)

§ Dr. Moonie

In keeping with long-standing medical practice, immunisation against anthrax for the Armed Forces and other Ministry of Defence personnel is voluntary and on the basis of informed consent.

Up to and including September 2002, the period for which most recent figures are available, approximately 46 per cent. of personnel offered immunisation against anthrax had accepted. Broken down by the categories requested this equates to (a) Royal Navy 28 per cent. (b) Army 78 per cent. (c) Royal Air Force 46 per cent. and (d) other Ministry of Defence Personnel 61 per cent. Thus far, immunisation against anthrax has been targeted at a small number of personnel in the most readily deployable units. As approximate proportions of their total strengths, excluding reserves, this equates to (a) Royal Navy, 0.7 per cent. (b) Army 0.4 per cent.;(c) Royal Air Force, 4.5 per cent.; and (d) other Ministry of Defence personnel 0.2 per cent.. Information concerning individuals' current anthrax immunisation status is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Earlier this year we announced a decision to expand the programme so that all service personnel, including reserves, and those essential civilians who are likely to deploy on operations are routinely offered immunisation against anthrax. We plan to expand the programme gradually over the next few years, beginning with those units that are held at the highest readiness. I refer the hon. Member to the answer my hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence gave on 13 June 2002, Official Report, columns 1343–44 to the hon. Member for High Peak (Mr. Levitt).