New meningitis vaccine for children in Ireland

26 October 2010

National charity Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF) welcomes the Government’s decision to introduce a more widely protective vaccine against pneumococcal meningitis into Ireland’s childhood immunisation schedule.

Pneumococcal bacteria cause deadly pneumococcal meningitis and septicaemia, as well as other conditions like pneumonia and severe ear infections. The vaccine that is currently used in the immunisation programme successfully protects against seven of the top disease causing strains of the bacteria, which accounted for 70-80% of severe pneumococcal disease in young children at the time it was introduced into Ireland.

The new vaccine will protect against six further strains, which cause most remaining serious pneumococcal infections and will be introduced into the vaccination schedule later in the year.

Diane McConnell, Ireland Manager at Meningitis Research Foundation, said: “Pneumococcal disease causes untold damage both in Ireland and around the world. Pneumococcal meningitis is one of the most deadly forms of the disease; it has a higher mortality rate than other forms and survivors are more likely to have after effects, including deafness, seizures and long-term brain damage. We are delighted this vaccine is being introduced to further protect children against pneumococcal meningitis.”

Press contact: Clodagh Hegarty (01) 819 6931

Notes to Editor:

• Meningitis Research Foundation is currently funding 26 research projects into the prevention, detection and treatment of meningitis and septicaemia. The Foundation has spent over €19 million on research since its inception in 1989 on 133 research projects.
• Meningitis Research Foundation operates a Freefone 24 hour helpline in Ireland – 1800 41 33 44 - providing information on meningitis and septicaemia to the general public and health professionals.