HC Deb 07 January 2003 vol 397 cc199-200W
Mr. Frank Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will lift the limit on the daily quota for vaccine for the single MMR injection. [87165]

Ms Blear

[holding answer 16 December 2002]: Single measles and single mumps vaccines, which are prescribed and administered outside the national childhood immunisation programme, are imported unlicensed medicines. Licensed single rubella vaccine is currently available in the United Kingdom. Unlicensed single rubella vaccine may only be imported and supplied when the licensed vaccine is unavailable. Importers, who must be licensed by the Medicines Control Agency, are required to notify the Agency on each occasion that they intend to import an unlicensed medicine. Notifications may be submitted daily, but the maximum quantity that may be imported per notification is controlled by legislation.