HL Deb 18 November 2004 vol 666 cc218-9WA
Lord Jopling

asked Her Majesty's Government:

To what extent any severe side effects from a mass smallpox vaccination programme can be alleviated by having available adequate stocks of vaccinia immune globulin injections. [HL4941]

Lord Warner

Historical evidence indicates that vaccinia immune globulin (VIG) can be used to treat severe side effects arising as a result of smallpox vaccination, such as progressive vaccinia and eczema vaccinatum, and can be of value when given prophylactically at the time of vaccination to pregnant, eczematous and some immunocompromised patients. Based upon the rate of occurrences of side effects in past vaccination programmes, estimates of the numbers of people who might suffer adverse reactions in a mass smallpox vaccination programme of the United Kingdom population indicate that around 7,000 could require VIG for treatment of serious side effects and a further 3,000 could require prophylactic use with the vaccine.

Lord Jopling

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the ideal number of vaccinia immune globulin injections which should be stockpiled, in order to reduce the severity of side effects from a mass vaccination programme against smallpox, which would be provided in the event of a terrorist attack. [HL4942]

Lord Warner

Based upon the rate of occurrence of severe side effects from smallpox vaccination in past vaccination campaigns, it is estimated that around 10,000 people could require vaccine immune globulin to combat the side effects of smallpox vaccination, 3,000 of whom would have been contra-indicated for vaccination and would need it for prophylactic use with the vaccine.

Lord Jopling

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are (a) the size of the United Kingdom's stockpile of smallpox vaccination material; and (b) the number of vaccinia immune globulin doses which they hold to alleviate severe side effects from smallpox vaccinations; and what are the comparable figures in the United States. [HL4943]

Lord Warner

The Government currently have a stockpile of over 40 million doses of undiluted smallpox vaccine and a small strategic stock of vaccinia immunoglobulin (VIG). On 19 November we will launch a procurement for VIG to augment this supply to support our preparedness for a mass smallpox vaccination campaign in case one is ever needed. We do not have comparable figures for the United States.