Written question asked by Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative) on Friday, 10 February 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 14 February 2006. It was answered by Caroline Flint (Labour) on Wednesday, 1 March 2006 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Tuberculosis

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what factors underlay the decision to end vaccinations for tuberculosis for children in low-risk areas.

Answer: The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has regularly reviewed the Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG) vaccination programme. After reviewing all available scientific and epidemiological data the JCVI recommended that it is now time to stop that national schools' based programme in favour of selective vaccination of high-risk infants and other groups.Children who would otherwise have been offered BCG vaccination through the schools programme will now be screened, tested and vaccinated if appropriate. It is therefore the responsibility of the primary care trusts to arrange suitable screening opportunities outside of the school setting.

Secondary information