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European Immunisation Week – 21-28 April
17 April 2008
Vaccination is the single most effective public health measure that has ever been implemented, apart from the provision of clean water. It has saved millions of children's lives.
In the UK and Ireland, babies in their first year of life are given protection against 10 (nine in Ireland) potentially life-threatening diseases including three kinds of meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning).
In Europe we take it for granted that, through vaccination, our children will be protected against life-threatening diseases. This is not the case world-wide. Typically, there is a delay of 15-20 years after a vaccine is licensed until it is introduced in the developing world, where the burden of disease is highest and need is acute. Every year, about 2.5 million children still die from vaccine preventable diseases. This represents almost a quarter of child deaths world-wide.
Christopher Head, Chief Executive of Meningitis Research Foundation said: "In the UK and Ireland immunisation has been so successful that cases of vaccine-preventable disease have become very uncommon. Several types of meningitis have been almost eliminated through immunisation, a real triumph for public health. But when people no longer see these diseases as a threat to their children, they can become complacent. It is crucial that families continue to protect their children through immunisation, or these diseases will come back. That is why Meningitis Research Foundation is supporting European Immunisation Week."
Whilst there are three meningitis vaccines in the UK childhood immunisation schedule (two in Ireland1) which provide excellent protection, there is no vaccine to protect against the most common type - MenB. Being aware of the symptoms and getting medical help quickly can save lives. Free B Aware symptoms packs are available by calling Meningitis Research Foundation's Freefone 24 hour helpline or visiting the website.
Media Contact: Julia Warren 01454 281811 or 07711 057875
Notes to Editor:
- 1Pneumococcal vaccine to protect against pneumococcal meningitis was introduced into the UK childhood immunisation schedule in September 2006. It is expected that this vaccine will be introduced into Ireland's childhood immunisation schedule in autumn 2008.
- 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.
- Meningitis Research Foundation operates a Freefone 24 hour helpline - 080 8800 3344 in the UK and 1800 41 33 44 in Ireland - providing information on meningitis and septicaemia to the general public and health professionals.
- Information on meningitis and septicaemia is also available on this website 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.