2 new lifesaving Meningitis vaccination programmes to begin this summer!
2 lifesaving vaccines; including the UK's 1st Meningitis B vaccine; will be rolled out this summer, the Department of Health announced. Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt confirmed that England becomes the 1st Country in the world to offer newborn babies the revolutionary new meningococcal group B (Men B) vaccine Bexsero via a national health service, from 1 September 2015.
Furthermore, to combat the rise in Men W cases in adolescents, all 17 and 18 year olds will receive the combined Meningitis ACWY vaccine from August 2015.
Meningitis Now and its supporters, who have campaigned for
2 years to get the
ground breaking MenB vaccine free on the NHS, welcomed the announcement.
Meningitis Now chief executive, Sue Davie, said:- "We're delighted that
this milestone in the journey to introduce these vaccines and protect our babies
and young people from the devastation meningitis causes has been reached.
These measures will save thousands of lives and protect people from losing loved
ones to the deadly disease."
The national charity's award winning Beat it Now! campaign has relentlessly
pushed for Bexsero to be free to all babies via the childhood immunisation
programme.
Sue added:- "It's a tribute to our supporters' selfless and tireless
efforts that we have now reached this stage. However, we shouldn't lose sight of
the fact that for many the announcement comes too late. We're here to help them
for as long as they need us."
Sue also sounded a note of caution about the announcement. "Whilst this is
good news it does not mean meningitis is beaten.
Our message is 'Don't become complacent about meningitis';
there are still strains without vaccines and there will still be people who are
not protected by these vaccine programmes. It's vital to learn the signs
and symptoms, stay vigilant and seek immediate medical help if you suspect the
disease."
Meningitis Now has vowed to continue campaigning to extend the availability of
the Men B vaccine to other at risk groups.
The infant Men B immunisation programme will begin on 1 September 2015. The vaccine
will be offered for babies starting at 2 months of age, followed by another
dose at f4 months and a booster dose at 12 months.
There will also be a limited catch up programme for infants who are due their
three and four month vaccinations in September 2015.
The Men ACWY vaccine programme will begin in August 2015, with 17 to 18 year olds
(School year 13) and older university entrants (aged 19 to 25) being offered the
vaccine.
These age groups are at the highest risk of infection because of close contact
in shared accommodation, such as university halls of residence.
The same age groups will be offered immunisation in 2016 and 2017.
These measures apply to England and Scotland only.
For more information, visit:-
MeningitisNow.Org.
