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Statement on his policy on the vaccination of HM forces against anthrax bacteria. - Inc fact that letter and accompanying information leaflet placed in Library as DEP 3/6155.

Asked by

Robert Key (Conservative)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

23 February 1998

For answer on

3 March 1998

Answered on

3 March 1998

Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy on the vaccination of HM forces against anthrax bacteria. [31472] Mr. George Robertson: [holding answer 26 February 1998]: The measures being taken at any given time to protect UK forces against chemical and biological weapons are based upon the prevailing operational circumstances and the latest threat assessment. In the light of Iraq's failure to account properly for its acknowledged programmes to acquire weapons of mass destruction, a range of equipment--chemical and biological agent detectors, warning and reporting systems, individual and collective protection, decontamination equipment, and medical countermeasures--has already been sent to the Gulf theatre for use by UK forces if necessary. In order that MOD has access to the best possible medical and scientific advice, I have established an independent Advisory Group on Medical Countermeasures, chaired by Professor Peter Blain of Newcastle University and made up of leading outside medical experts. Having sought and received advice from the new Group on the current situation, I have decided that UK service personnel and MOD civilians in the Gulf region should be strongly recommended to accept immunisation against anthrax. The vaccination programme will commence later this week and involve personnel receiving three injections over the next six weeks and a fourth injection after a further six months, using the UK manufactured and licensed anthrax vaccine. No other vaccine will be co-administered with the anthrax vaccine and special arrangements have been made to ensure that the medical records of all those involved are properly annotated to register whether they receive the vaccine. The US and Canadian Governments are providing vaccination for their forces in the region in the same timescale, and are making similar announcements. I have written to those Service and civilian personnel who are being advised to accept anthrax immunisation explaining the background to this decision. A copy of the test of my letter and the accompanying information leaflet are being placed in the Library of the House.

Date

3 March 1998

Reference

307 c535W; 31472

House

House of Commons

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