To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to conduct a public debate on vaccine prioritisation in the event of an influenza pandemic, as recommended by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation in its meeting of 14 February 2007; and whether he plans to conduct a public debate on antiviral prioritisation in the event of an influenza pandemic. (152331)

In the event that the United Kingdom is involved in a worldwide pandemic influenza outbreak, the public will have an active role to play in ensuring the country’s effective response.

Building on the research already undertaken, it is proposed to start an ongoing programme of public engagement by the end of 2007. This will include debating vaccine and antiviral prioritisation as well as other issues of public concern in accord with the “National Framework for responding to an influenza pandemic” that was issued in draft in March 2007.