To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are being taken by his Department to ensure that hepatitis B vaccines are made available free of charge to essential workers in nursing homes; what criteria are used by his Department in determining who receives hepatitis B vaccines free of charge; what recent representations he has received on this issue; and if he will make a statement. (235525)

Responsibility for occupational hepatitis B immunisation rests with the employer and it should be provided through an occupational health service. It is the responsibility of the individual trusts/employers to determine their own programme and fund the immunisation of their staff.

The Department has received very low levels of correspondence relating to vaccinations for health care workers. The response to these letters stated the aforementioned departmental policy.