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Pneumococcal meningitis cases decline
National charity Meningitis Research Foundation welcomes the news that cases of pneumococcal meningitis and other life-threatening diseases have been cut following the introduction of a new vaccine in September 2006.
Recently-released figures from the Health Protection Agency show that since pneumococcal conjugate vaccine was introduced cases of meningitis and other severe diseases covered by the vaccine have declined sharply. The vaccine is offered to babies at two, four and thirteen months, and a catch-up programme for all children aged up to two years old accompanied its introduction.
Pneumococcal bacteria are one of the leading causes of disease in young children and pneumococcal meningitis is more life-threatening than other major types. Half of survivors of pneumococcal meningitis are left with permanent disabilities that can be as severe as brain damage, deafness and cerebral palsy.
The charity is now funding vital national research at the Health Protection Agency to provide detailed information on the impact of the vaccine on pneumococcal disease.
Meningitis Research Foundation's Chief Executive Chris Head said: "Meningitis Research Foundation is delighted that pneumococcal vaccine has reduced meningitis and other serious pneumococal disease, and that many young lives have been saved as a direct result. We would urge all parents to protect their babies against this deadly disease by making sure they have their scheduled immunisations."
Chris continued: "However, not all forms of meningitis are vaccine preventable, so people need to be aware of the symptoms of these diseases. Free symptoms information is available by calling our Freefone 24 hour helpline - 080 8800 3344 or on this website"
Media Contact: Julia Warren 01454 281811 or 07711 057875
Notes to Editor:
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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.
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Meningitis Research Foundation operates a Freefone 24 hour helpline - 080 8800 3344 - providing information on meningitis and septicaemia and about meningitis vaccines.
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Information on meningitis and septicaemia is also available on the Foundation's world-renowned website - www.meningitis.org - in 22 languages. An interpretation service in 120 languages is available through the 24 hour helpline.
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.