§ Lord Joplingasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answers by the Lord Warner on 18 November (WA 219), how many doses of vaccinia immunoglobulin are contained in the procurement programme launched on 19 November; and how soon they expect to possess the 10,000 doses estimated in those Answers to be needed to combat a terrorist attack using smallpox. [HL87]
§ Lord WarnerExpressions of interest for the supply of vaccinia immunoglobulin (VIG) are due to be received by 6 December. These will then be reviewed and selected suppliers will be invited to submit tenders. Information about how much VIG can be produced and the timescale for its supply will become apparent only at the tender evaluation stage. A decision on the quantity to be purchased will then be made.