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New meningitis vaccine to save lives
28 August 2006
Meningitis Research Foundation welcomes the introduction of pneumococcal vaccine, which protects against pneumococcal meningitis, into the childhood immunisation programme from 4 September.
Pneumococcal meningitis is more life-threatening than other major types of meningitis and septicaemia - blood poisoning form. It has a higher death rate, and leaves around half of survivors with permanent disabilities that can be as severe as brain damage, deafness, and cerebral palsy. There are some 530 cases of severe pneumococcal disease annually in the under twos in England and Wales alone and approximately 50 deaths. This vaccine will not only save children's lives but will spare at least 100 more children from suffering the devastating after effects of the infection.
Meningitis Research Foundation's Chief Executive Denise Vaughan said: "The Foundation has been campaigning for many years for pneumococcal vaccine to be introduced into the UK childhood immunisation programme. We are absolutely delighted that it is now being introduced and many young lives will be saved as a direct result."
Denise continued: "However, not all forms of meningitis and septicaemia are vaccine preventable, so the public needs to be aware of the symptoms of these diseases. Free symptoms information is available from this website by calling our Freefone 24 hour helpline - 080 8800 3344."
Media Contact: Julia Warren 01454 281811 or 07711 057875
Notes to Editor - including New Vaccination Schedule:
Meningitis Research Foundation also welcomes the introduction of the Hib/MenC booster as it will ensure that protection against these deadly diseases is maintained at the highest level.
The Hib/MenC booster is a combination vaccine which provides additional protection against two diseases that have been successfully vaccinated against in the UK and across the world for a number of years.
This pneumococcal vaccine has been used in the US since 2000. By 2003, cases of severe pneumococcal disease caused by the seven strains protected by the vaccine had dropped by 94% in children under 5 years of age. It has also reduced cases in the older population by preventing pneumococcal bacteria from being carried in the nose and throat of those vaccinated and being passed on, creating 'herd immunity'.
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. Further information about the changes to the infant immunisation programme is available via the helpline.
Information on meningitis and septicaemia is also available on the Foundation's world-renowned website - www.meningitis.org - in 18 languages. An interpretation service in 120 languages is available through the 24 hour helpline.
Meningitis Research Foundation is a national registered charity currently funding 19 research projects in the UK and internationally to a total value of in excess £2.5 million, and has by far the largest commitment of any meningitis charity.
New Vaccination Schedule:
2 months:
5-in-one - Hib meningitis, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio
Pneumococcal vaccine
3 months:
5-in-one - Hib meningitis, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio
MenC vaccine
4 months:
5-in-one - Hib meningitis, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio
Pneumococcal vaccine
MenC vaccine
12 months:
Hib/MenC booster
13 months:
MMR - Measles, mumps and rubella
Pneumococcal vaccine
Catch up:
Pneumococcal vaccine will be offered to all children under the age of two years
Symptoms of meningitis:
Severe headache; stiff neck*; dislike of bright lights*; fever; vomiting; drowsy and less responsive/vacant; rash; seizures (fits) may also be seen. (*Unusual in young children.)
Symptoms of septicaemia (blood poisoning form of the disease):
Rash; fever; vomiting; cold hands and feet; shivering; abnormal colour (pallor or mottling); rapid or unusual breathing; limb/joint/muscle pain; abdominal pain (sometimes with diarrhoea); drowsy and less responsive/vacant.
Other symptoms in babies include:
tense or bulging fontanelle (soft spot); blotchy skin, getting paler or turning blue; refusing to feed; being irritable when picked up with a high pitched or moaning dry; a stiff body with jerky movements or else floppy and lifeless.