Health: Influenza Vaccination

Baroness Finlay of Llandaff Excerpts

Tuesday 10th January 2012 Lords Chamber

[Earl Howe]

My Lords, in general it is incumbent on employers, whether in the public or the independent sector, to ensure that their staff are protected appropriately. If my noble friend’s question alludes to the fact that independent providers may be offering services to the NHS, then I agree that there is a duty there, and we will see, as we already see, that that provision is taken account of in the contracts that commissioners take out with independent providers.

[Baroness Finlay of Llandaff]

With reference to the contracts and the contracting guidance, is the department considering that immunisation against infection, such as influenza, should be considered as an infection control measure in areas where patients are immunocompromised, such as those who are having chemotherapy or who are on other immunosuppressant drugs? They are at particular risk of high mortality as well as morbidity should they pick up an infection.

[Earl Howe]

The noble Baroness makes a very valid point. Those types of patient are in the most vulnerable category—the immunocompromised—and it is, I understand, a feature of the normal contract to ensure that those patients are protected to the maximum extent.