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New meningitis vaccine for the African 'Meningitis Belt'
15 March 2006
Meningitis Research Foundation welcomes the news that a new vaccine to give protection against meningitis A could be available in just three years.
Meningitis A, although not a problem in the UK, is a terrible problem across sub-Sahara Africa where epidemics affect hundreds of thousands of people, causing tens of thousands of deaths.
Denise Vaughan, Chief Executive of Meningitis Research Foundation said: "The Foundation is delighted with the news that a new low-cost vaccine to protect against meningitis A could soon be available. This is the best hope for protection against meningitis A in Africa and will not only save tens of thousands of lives but also prevent many of the devastating after effects of the disease such as deafness, brain damage and paralysis."
Further information about meningitis and septicaemia can be obtained from Meningitis Research Foundation's Freefone 24 hour helpline - 080 8800 3344. Information, written and audio, is available in 18 languages by contacting the Foundation or on this An interpreter service in 120 languages is available via the helpline.