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Meningitis Among Targets of New Children's Vaccine

Posted on: Thursday, 9 February 2006, 12:00 CST

By MADELEINE BRINDLEY Western Mail

Children will be vaccinated against pneumococcal infection in a bid to save lives. The Government announced the vaccine would be added to the current childhood immunisation schedule for children aged two, four and 13 months. There are about 5,000 cases of invasive pneumococcal disease in England and Wales each year - about 530 of these are cases of pneumococcal meningitis.

Estimates vary but as many as 50 children under two die from serious pneumococcal infections in England and Wales each year.

Dr David Salter, acting chief medical officer for Wales, said, 'Pneumococcal infection can cause very serious illness such as meningitis and pneumonia, as well as being one of the most common bacterial causes of ear infections.

'The under-twos are a particular risk group. The new vaccine will save lives and prevent hundreds more cases of serious illness and disability in both the young and old.'

Children in the US have received the pneumococcal vaccination for many years and cases of the disease in young children have fallen by 94%.

There will also be some minor changes in the childhood immunisation programme designed to improve protection against Meningitis C and Hib disease. Children will now receive their three doses of Meningitis C vaccine at three and four months with a booster when they reach one.

A booster dose of Hib vaccine will also be given at 12 months.

Philip Kirby, chief executive of the Meningitis Trust said, 'Vaccination is the only way to prevent meningitis and we welcome this announcement as it will help save lives. Pneumococcal meningitis is devastating - 20% of those who get it will die and a further 25% will suffer severe after-effects.'

Source: Western Mail

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