To ask the Secretary of State for Health which routine immunisation programmes are in operation where the vaccines delivered through the programme are (a) centrally procured and (b) not centrally procured; what the reasons are for the different approaches; and if he will make a statement.

Vaccines are centrally procured for the following national routine and at risk immunisation programmes:

diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Haemophilus influenza type b; pneumococcal disease; rotavirus; meningococcal group C disease; hib/Men C; measles, mumps and rubella (German measles); influenza; cervical cancer; shingles; tuberculosis; and maternal pertussis.

Vaccines are not centrally procured for the following immunisation programmes for certain at risk groups: pneumococcal disease for the over 65s; influenza for the national flu programme (over 65s and those in risk groups); and Hepatitis B for infants.

Central procurement of vaccines for the United Kingdom is generally considered where contracting for large quantities of vaccine is expected to result in economies of scale and purchasing power in relation to the infant and adult national immunisation programmes.