To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations his Department has received from (a) officials in the Health Protection Agency and (b) other interested parties on the effectiveness of vaccination against seasonal influenza; what the content of these representations was; and if he will make a statement. (166386)

The aim of the Government’s influenza immunisation policy is to protect those who are most at risk of serious illness or death should they develop influenza. Although vaccination may not protect all elderly people from flu virus infection experts, including those from the Health Protection Agency (HPA), advise that the majority of those immunised benefit by suffering a less severe illness. The HPA press release of 24 October endorsed the Government’s influenza vaccine campaign.

United Kingdom policy is constantly under review by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation to take into consideration all available evidence. A new study from the HPA on the causes of winter hospital admissions adds to the evidence base.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health which groups of workers are eligible for (a) antiviral chemoprophylaxis and (b) vaccination against A/H5N1 in the event of an outbreak of avian influenza. (166438)

Based upon detailed risk assessments during an outbreak, all workers, and others, who are identified as having been at risk of exposure to the H5N1 virus will be offered chemoprophylactic preventative treatment with the antiviral Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) within 24-48 hours of disease confirmation. Additionally, all workers who are identified as being at risk of potential exposure, for example through engagement in culling and disposal of birds, will be offered antiviral chemoprophylaxis prior to commencing these activities.

All those offered antiviral prophylaxis will also be offered seasonal influenza vaccine. Vaccination with H5N1 vaccine is not offered during outbreaks of avian flu. There is a small stock of H5N1 vaccine which is held for possible use in the event of a human flu pandemic.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to strengthen the criteria for prioritisation of vaccination in the event of an influenza pandemic, as recommended by his Department’s Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisations at its meeting of 20 June 2007. (166450)

The Department has commissioned a series of studies to predict the impact of vaccinating specific risk groups, including strategies that prevent the spread of disease as well as preventing flu cases and flu-related deaths. This work is being used to develop a detailed strategy for the prioritisation of pandemic flu vaccine.