Written question asked by Paul Flynn (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 11 November 1996. It was answered by Lord Selkirk of Douglas (Conservative) on Monday, 11 November 1996 on behalf of the Scottish Office.

Scottish Office

Question: What percentage of school leavers in Scotland have been vaccinated against tuberculosis. - Inc figs and ref to "Scottish Health Statistics 1995" (Table 8.8).

Answer: Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of school leavers in Scotland have been vaccinated against tuberculosis; and if he will make a statement. [1562] Lord James Douglas-Hamilton: BCG vaccination has been offered to schoolchildren in Scotland since 1953. In more recent years, the target age group has been 12 to 13 years. Statistical information about the numbers of children vaccinated appears in "Scottish Health Statistics 1995" (Table 8.8). In 1995, 97.9 per cent. of children who were tuberculin tested were either vaccinated or tested positive, indicating that they already had immunity and therefore did not require vaccination. My right hon. Friend accepted the recent recommendation of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation that the schools-based BCG vaccination programme should continue.

Secondary information