Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by Paul Beresford (Conservative) on Monday, 27 March 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 29 March 2023. It was answered by Maria Caulfield (Conservative) on Monday, 3 April 2023 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus: Vaccination

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommendation to work towards replacing palivizumab with nirsevimab in 2022, what steps his Department plans to take to work with the UK Health Security Agency and NHS England to agree an innovative procurement route to enable an expanded immunisation programme for the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-related lower respiratory tract infections for the 2023-24 winter season.

Answer

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has advised that the current respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) monoclonal antibody, palivizumab, should be replaced by nirsevimab for the existing, targeted cohort. The Department, the UK Health Security Agency and NHS England are engaging with the manufacturer to support this change in time for the 2023/24 winter season.

The JCVI is actively reviewing evidence about a potential expanded RSV programme. Once the JCVI have concluded their review of evidence and any advice is made, the Department will support the implementation of any changes advised by the JCVI as soon as is practicable, including working closely with NHS England and UKHSA.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
174167
Session
2022-23
Subjects
Procurement Vaccination NHS England Respiratory syncytial virus UK Health Security Agency
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk