If he will make a statement on the progress of the meningitis vaccination programme. [106246]

The introduction of the new meningitis C vaccine is progressing very well—immunisation for 15 to 17-years-olds is largely completed, and babies have been receiving the vaccine since November. We are on target to offer the vaccine to everyone under 18 by the end of the year. We are the first country in the world to have introduced a national programme for the new meningitis C vaccine, and we are implementing it a year ahead of schedule.

I warmly thank the Department of Health and the former Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Member for Holborn and St. Pancras (Mr. Dobson), for providing the new strain C vaccine, in advance of the full immunisation programme, to the village of Ironville in my Constituency. It has, tragically, suffered a uniquely high incidence of meningitis, with a so far unexplained series of outbreaks over the past three years.

Will my hon. Friend note that four of the five confirmed strain C cases in Ironville—including the last death, Colin Whitehead—could be confirmed only by the polymerase chain reaction test, and that that also applies to 53 per cent. of the cases in southern Derbyshire?

I understand that only through using that test can the necessary evidence be found on which to base proper medical Intervention, as has happened in Ironville. Will my hon. Friend undertake to consider the policies of the Public Health Laboratory Service on future charges for PCR tests and assess their potential impact on the control of this absolutely terrifying disease?

I welcome my hon. Friend's concern about this issue. She has worked extremely hard on the problems it has caused in her Constituency. I am aware of the point she makes about the PCR test; we want to ensure that people working in the field have access to that important test. I shall raise the issue with the PHLS. Officials have already held meetings with the service and I shall do so in March.

Will the Minister assist in the cases of older young people—especially those in their late 20s? We heard of the tragic case of the young rugby player who went to hospital and was, regrettably, misdiagnosed, with fatal consequences. If there was sufficient evidence that those people would also benefit from the vaccine, would the Government consider extending the vaccination programme to that older group?

Certainly, we will take advice about other groups from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. At present, we are on target to immunise everyone aged under 18. The situation is unusual because we are rolling out a new vaccination programme as quickly as possible. In those circumstances, we are obviously prioritising those groups that are at the highest risk.