 News
4th February 2006
Plans for new baby jab
Babies are to have another vaccine added to their immunisation
program, according to the BBC.
The Department of Health will announce next week that the pneumococcal
disease vaccine will be added to the current vaccination program to provide
protection against the disease which causes blood poisoning, meningitis
and pneumonia.
The vaccine which was introduced in the US five years ago has been delayed
in the UK because of concerns over its cost of £34.50 a shot.
The jab will be given in 2 doses but it is not clear whether this vaccination
will simply be added to the current 6 vaccines or replace any of them.
Professor Adam Finn, a University of Bristol paediatrician and meningitis
expert, said, "It is a really important step forward.
"We have been waiting for a number of years for it to be introduced.
There is nothing more frustrating than seeing children sick when it is
preventable."
And he said parents had no need to be worried about adding another vaccination
to the programme.
"It is an understandable concern, but we see no reason for it to be a
problem."
Linda Glennie, head of research and medical information at the Meningitis
Research Foundation, said, "Pneumococcal meningitis is extremely
nasty.
"Up to half of people who are infected are left with permanent after
effects, including brain damage, paralysis and deafness."
The disease affecrs 400 children in the UK each year, about 50 of whom
die while many more are left severely disabled.
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