Sunday, 4 March, 2001, 10:59 GMT

TB jabs to be reinstated

A vaccine shortage halted the BCG programme

Tuberculosis vaccinations are to be reintroduced across Britain after a two-year break due to vaccine shortages.

The Scottish Executive confirmed ministers are working with the UK government to get a nationwide programme against TB "up and running".

The BCG programme was suspended in 1999 after makers Celltech suffered a series of technical problems which led to a shortage of the vaccine.

An executive spokesman said the business had been taken over by Powerject and talks were taking place to firm up a date when vaccinations could be reintroduced.

He said: "I am not sure whether it will be given to those pupils who have missed out or something else.

200,000 Scottish children

"That is something that we still need to work out but it is certainly going to happen."

A Sunday newspaper reported that the programme would affect 2m schoolchildren including around 200,000 Scots.

A spokesman for Powerject said there were "no longer any problems" in supplying the vaccinations to health authorities in England, Scotland and Wales.

Sir John Crofton, a Scots-based consultant to the World Health Organisation, said bringing back the vaccine could help prevent a "major disaster".

BCG jabs are usually given to secondary school pupils at the age of 13 and according to the executive around 140,000 Scottish children have missed out.

See also:

23 Feb 01 | Northern Ireland
Supply problem in TB vaccine

22 Nov 00 | Scotland
'Unhealthy' flights criticised

18 Jan 00 | Scotland
Schools TB vaccinations suspended

26 May 98 | World
TB: The killer returns

Internet links:

Scottish Executive

WHO -Tuberculosis

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