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The Government has apologised to Parliament for incorrect or misleading statements made on the use of animal products in the manufacture of vaccines.

Public Health Minister Hazel Blears told MPs the statements had been made on the basis of "incorrect advice and information" given at the time by the Medicines Control Agency.

Ms Blears' statement follows the recall of an oral polio vaccine in October 2000 due to concern about the possible use of UK-sourced bovine material in its production.

She said: "I repeat my apologies to the House and also convey those of my predecessors for the fact that incorrect or misleading information was given to Parliament, albeit in good faith."

A full review was ordered then by ministers on BSE-related issues and vaccines since 1997 to ensure all the information given by ministers was correct.

Ms Blears said three detailed reports on the issue were being published.

She assured the Commons that nothing in them altered the assessment of experts that "there are no transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) related safety issues arising from the use of relevant animal derived material in the production of vaccines authorised in the UK".

Story filed: 12:02 Friday 5th July 2002

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