HC Deb 21 July 2004 vol 424 cc363-4W
Dr. Stoate

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will introduce a booster dose of HIB vaccine for young children; and if he will make a statement. [184986]

Miss Melanie Johnson

Following the recent "Haemophilus influenzae" (Hib) booster campaign, the rate of Hib disease in children aged one to four has fallen by 87 per cent.

Before we can consider whether a booster dose of Hib should be offered routinely as part of the routine immunisation programme, an evaluation of the impact of the recent Hib campaign will need to be assessed and advice sought from the joint committee on vaccination and immunisation.