Hepatitis B (Hansard, 23 July 2004)

§ Tim Loughton
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the(a) costs and (b) benefits of universal vaccination for hepatitis B. [185403]

§ Miss Melanie Johnson
The joint committee on vaccination and immunisation, the Government's expert advisory committee, is currently reviewing our national hepatitis B immunisation programme. This review will consider whether the programme might need to be expanded or strengthened.

§ Dr. Stoate
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will introduce a vaccination programme in babies for hepatitis B; and if he will make a statement. [184987]

§ Miss Melanie Johnson
Immunisation is already recommended for babies born to mothers infected with hepatitis B to prevent them developing chronic infection. The joint committee on vaccination and immunisation, the Government's expert advisory committee, is currently reviewing our national hepatitis B immunisation programme. This review will consider whether the programme might need to be expanded or strengthened.