§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS staff were given smallpox vaccine in 2002–03; and how many suffered ill-effects as a result of the immunisations. [135758]
§ Mr. HuttonAs of 4 November 2003, the number of health care workers who have been vaccinated in England stood at 262. Of this total, 128 are doctors, 116 are nurses, 15 are scientists and three are from other areas.
Information on suspected vaccine-associated adverse events experienced as part of the current vaccination programme have been collected by the Health Protection Agency and the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency. The type of adverse reactions noted after smallpox vaccinations so far were mostly non-serious; the majority were expected reactions to successful vaccination with smallpox vaccine or are known to occur after any vaccination. These included reactions at the site of injection, fever, feeling unwell and swollen glands. Two vacinees were hospitalised, one with suspected encephalitis and one with severe local cellulitis. A further four people developed cellulitis at the injection site. Two vacinees reported shortness of breath. One vacinee retrospectively reported having experienced retrospective symptoms of suspected mycocarditis though no confirmation tests were carried out. Adverse experience occurring after vaccination does not necessarily mean that the vaccine caused the problem. Other factors, such as an underlying illness present before vaccination, must be considered as possible alternative causes.