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Is a Meningitis Group B Vaccine on the Horizon?
International Meningitis Conference, 7 & 8 November 2007 - Royal Society of Medicine, London
Experts in the field of meningitis and septicaemia will be coming together from as far afield as New Zealand and the USA in this two-day international conference organised by Meningitis Research Foundation.
Meningitis and septicaemia remain important worldwide causes of death and disability in all age groups, and in many countries, including the UK, they are the most common infectious cause of death in young children and adolescents.
Although there are vaccines which protect against some forms of these diseases, there is no vaccine to protect against Meningococcal Group B disease which causes most cases of meningitis and septicaemia in this country. Tragically many lives are lost each year to Group B disease and many others recover with after effects which can be as severe as brain damage, deafness and amputation. Although anyone of any age can get meningitis and septicaemia, half of all cases are in babies and young children.
Wednesday 7 November
The first day of the conference looks at recognition, epidemiology and current and future treatment.
Thursday 8 November
The focus shifts on day two to vaccines. Presentations on current vaccines, prospects for defeating meningitis in developing countries, future prevention of pneumococcal disease and the outlook for prevention of Group B will take place.
Pharmaceutical companies and other participants will be presenting brand new data on MenB vaccine development. Is a vaccine for MenB on the horizon?
More information and the full conference programme can be accessed
here
Media Contact: Julia Warren 01454 281811 or 07711 057875
Notes to Editor :
- Meningitis Research Foundation currently funds 18 research projects. Since it was founded in 1989, the charity has awarded 118 research grants, leading to many advances in the prevention, detection and treatment of meningitis and septicaemia.
- Meningitis Research Foundation operates a Freefone 24 hour helpline - 080 8800 3344 - providing information on meningitis and septicaemia to the general public and health professionals.
Symptoms of meningitis:
Fever; vomiting; severe headache; rash (not present in all cases); stiff neck*; dislike of bright lights*; very sleepy/vacant/difficult to wake; confused/delirious; seizures (fits) may also be seen. (*Unusual in young children.)
Symptoms of septicaemia (blood poisoning form of the disease):
Fever; vomiting; limb/joint/muscle pain (sometimes stomach pain/diarrhoea); pale or mottled skin; cold hands and feet; shivering; breathing fast/breathless; rash (anywhere on the body); very sleepy/vacant/difficult to wake; confused/delirious.
Other symptoms in babies include: tense or bulging fontanelle (soft spot); refusing to feed; being irritable when picked up with a high pitched or moaning cry; a stiff body with jerky movements or else floppy and lifeless.