 News
10th February 2006
New vaccine will save lives
The Department of Health have confirmed that the pneumococcal
vaccine is being introduced as part of a series of changes to the childhood
immunisation programme.
Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, said that the vaccine will
help save lives and prevent hundreds more children becoming ill.
When pneumococcal infection enters the bloodstream (invasive pneumococcal
disease) it can cause serious illnesses such as meningitis, blood poisoning
and pneumonia.
There are approximately 5000 cases in England and Wales each year and
around 530 of these in children under two years.
Almost a third are cases of pneumococcal meningitis it is estimated
as many as 50 children under two lose their lives from serious pneumococcal
infections in England and Wales each year.
Sir Liam Donaldson said, "Pneumococcal infection can cause very serious
illness such as meningitis and pneumonia as well as being one of the most
common bacterial causes of ear infections.
"The under 2s are a particular risk group. The new vaccine will save
lives and prevent hundreds more cases of serious illness and disability
in both the young and old as well as reducing the need for medical care."
he added that parents should not be concerned that another vaccine is
being added to the 6 babies already have.
"We have already seen the immense impact this programme has had in the
US," he said.
"Since its introduction, cases in young children caused by the strains
in the vaccine have fallen by 94 per cent and cases in the over 65s have
dropped by two thirds."
Sir Liam also announced two other changes to maximise protection against
Meningitis C and Hib disease.
MenC vaccine is currently given to children at 2, 3 and 4 months of age.
However, the latest evidence shows that the protection offered by this
vaccine wanes one year after vaccination.
The new schedule means babies will get MenC at three and four months
of age and a booster dose at 12 months.
Babies will also get a booster dose of Hib at 12 months old.
Denise Vaughan, Meningitis Research Foundation’s Chief Executive, said,
"We are delighted with the news that the government is introducing these
vaccines into the childhood immunisation schedule. We know it will save
many young lives and we also hope to see benefits in the wider population.
"However, not all forms of meningitis and septicaemia are vaccine
preventable, so the public still need to be aware of their symptoms".
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