§ Patrick MercerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what advice he is giving to the public regarding smallpox vaccinations; [88397]
(2) what plans he has to make smallpox vaccinations available to the public. [88508]
§ Mr. HuttonThere are no plans to vaccinate the whole population as a contingency measure against the threat of a bio-terrorist incident involving smallpox. Mass vaccination of the population could be justifiable if there was a smallpox attack or outbreak but it would not be acceptable to expose people to the risk of vaccination in the absence of any possible exposure to the smallpox virus. This is consistent with the approach recommended by the World Health Organisation.
Smallpox vaccine has a much higher rate of serious complications than vaccines that are in regular use today. Certain groups are at even higher risk, such as those with weak immune systems or with severe eczema.
We have already announced that a small number of key frontline national health service staff and a small number of military personnel who would provide the first response in the event of a confirmed, suspected or threatened release of smallpox will be vaccinated shortly. We are discussing with other Government Departments how to identify key workers in the emergency services and agreeing circumstances and timing under which they might be vaccinated.
898WOur contingency plans for dealing with smallpox are detailed in the draft guidelines on smallpox available on http://www.doh.gov.uk/epcu/cbr/biol/ smallpoxplan.htm.