WHERE has all the seasonal influenza vaccine gone to?

That is the source of controversy between the Government and opposition at the moment.

Unfortunately, as usual when there is an argument about numbers, the result is inconclusive as both sides use different definitions.

The argument about the numbers of NHS managers is another example of this. As it has been established that there is a shortage of flu vaccine, I believe we should now be aiming to minimise the ill- effects of this rather than trying to apportion blame.

The Government has ordered more vaccine but because of international alarm about avian flu further supplies are delayed by a world shortage.

People realise that the vaccine for seasonal flu gives no protection against avian flu but nevertheless the fear of this variant seems to be one reason for the tremendous demand for the vaccine against ordinary flu.

In Health Questions this week an MP asked on behalf of a constituent whether it was now too late to have the flu injection.

The answer to that is that as flu has such a short incubation period, it is never too late to have the vaccine unless you have actually caught it.

It is very difficult to attempt to control the spread of influenza because one can be infectious before developing the symptoms that would keep you at home.

However, I believe it would be wise for people with even mild symptoms of suspected flu to stay at home to avoid spreading the illness to the vulnerable.

The arguments about smoking in public places continue. Andrew Mackinlay, MP for Thurrock and a frequent critic of the Government put the position very well in Health Questions.

He said: "If the minister read the political tea leaves, she would understand that there is a majority in the House of Commons for a total ban, comparable with the one that will be introduced by the Labour Party in Scotland and by the Labour Government at Westminster in Northern Ireland."

He concluded by pointing to the obvious need for a free vote when the Government's proposal for a partial smoking ban in public places comes before the House.

The Minister gave the usual reply that 99 per cent of employees will be fully protected forgetting that the one per cent not protected are those in pubs and bars where they are more exposed to passive smoking than any other workers!

People do not go to work to smoke but some understandably go to the pub to smoke with their friends over a drink.

At a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Local Hospital Group last week we heard that about 90 community hospitals throughout the country face downgrading or closure because of NHS Trust deficits.

This is in addition to several acute hospitals facing mergers and losses of services.

The Government has a tough time ahead.