Written question asked by Lord Jopling (Conservative), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Darzi of Denham (Labour) on Tuesday, 25 March 2008.

Health: Smallpox Vaccine

Question: asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answers by Lord Warner on 7 September 2004 (WA 137) and 28 November 2005 (WA 12–13), how many (a) doctors, (b) nurses, (c) ambulance staff, (d) scientists, (e) police and (f) others have been vaccinated for smallpox so as to enable them to deal with a terrorist attack; and how many of these have had complications leading to further treatment using the vaccine immunoglobulin.

Answer: The department arranged for smallpox vaccination of a cohort of frontline health workers who would deal with any initial suspected or confirmed case of smallpox if it were to occur. The target cohort was reached in 2005 and comprised a total of 516 vaccinated personnel of whom 147 were doctors, 164 were nurses, 100 were ambulance staff, 32 were scientists and 73 held other related healthcare occupations. None of these had adverse complications that required vaccinia immunoglobulin. A further programme of revaccination is due to commence in 2008.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 2450; 700 c81-2WA
Session: 2007-08
Related items: Warner, Lord
Tuesday, 7 September 2004
Written questions
House of Lords; Smallpox Vaccination: Medical Staff
Monday, 28 November 2005
Written questions
House of Lords; Health: Vaccinations
Thursday, 14 January 2010
Written questions
House of Lords; Health: Vaccinations
Thursday, 14 January 2010
Written questions
House of Lords; Health: Anthrax
Monday, 21 April 2008
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Biological weapons Doctors Police Nurses Terrorism Vaccination Side effects Smallpox Paramedical staff Scientists
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk