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Proposals for new baby jab spark controversy

The Government is considering introducing another vaccination for young babies, who already receive six vaccinations in two injections by the age of four months.

Government advisers have given their support in principle to a vaccination against bacterial meningitis, septicaemia and pneumonia, infections which strike about 550 under-fives in England and Wales each year and may kill between 50 and 100.

However, to determine whether parents will accept another jab for their babies, the Department of Health is to question parents and health professionals on what information would reassure them about youngsters having another vaccination.

Historically and more recently, childhood immunsations have been surrounded by controversy but the DoH is anxious to allay what it regards as unfounded fears that babies might face immunisation overload if another jab were added to routine programmes.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has recommended the introduction of pneumococcal vaccine for children in principle. But it said it should be subject to further consideration of the number and timing of doses required, the price at which the vaccine could be secured and guarantees of the supply of the vaccine.

Latest figures suggest 94 per cent of children under two in the UK are immunised against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio and Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib). Just over 80 per cent nationally have the MMR, usually at 13-15 months, but take-up has been disrupted by rows over the safety of the three-in-one MMR vaccine.

The Committee said there were no medical reasons not to offer the pneumococcal vaccine alongside the other primary immunisations, but recognised that "some parents may have concerns" and that health professionals "may need additional information and training".

The vaccination is already given to many older people as well as people at risk, such as asthmatics and diabetics.

The Health department said, "The immune system of a baby has got huge spare capacity and can respond to thousands of bacteria and viruses to prevent them from causing harm.

"The concept of a vaccine 'overload' has been studied carefully and the science says this does not happen. A baby's immune system could actually tolerate over 1,000 vaccines."

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