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Foundation welcomes review of new meningitis vaccine
31 January 2008
Meningitis Research Foundation welcomes today's news that a new vaccine that could provide further protection against meningitis is now undergoing review by the European Medicines Agency.
This new vaccine may offer protection against ten of the main disease-causing strains of pneumococcal bacteria in children in the UK. Pneumococcal bacteria are the second most common cause of meningitis in the UK and can cause other serious diseases like septicaemia and pneumonia. It is estimated that the strains covered account for 80% of severe pneumococcal disease in children worldwide.
Meningitis Research Foundation's Chief Executive Christopher Head commented: "It is very encouraging to see signs of progress in protecting our children from pneumococcal meningitis. Pneumococcal meningitis is more life-threatening than other major types, with a higher death rate, and half of survivors are left with permanent disabilities that can be as severe as brain damage, deafness, and cerebral palsy. "
Chris continued: "However, not all forms of meningitis and septicaemia, the blood poisoning form of the disease, are vaccine preventable, so the public needs to be aware of the symptoms of these diseases. Free symptoms information is available from this website or by calling our Freefone 24 hour helpline on 080 8800 3344 ."