This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-26679492

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Q&A: Meningitis B vaccine Q&A: Meningitis B vaccine
(35 minutes later)
Experts have recommended that the UK government introduces a vaccine against meningitis B for babies, in a move welcomed by scientists and charities. Experts recommended that the UK government introduces a vaccine against meningitis B for babies - but campaigners are concerned that a year later the vaccine is still not widely available.
1. What has happened?1. What has happened?
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), the expert body that advises the government on vaccinations, has recommended babies be given the meningitis B vaccine, from two months of age. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), the expert body that advises the government on vaccinations, recommended last year babies be given the meningitis B vaccine, from two months of age.
Last year the committee ruled in an interim report that the vaccine should not be introduced - because, it said, it was not cost effective. The committee had previously ruled in an interim report that the vaccine should not be introduced - because, it said, it was not cost effective.
This caused an outcry from campaigners, and in January 118 paediatricians, nurses and scientists wrote to Jeremy Hunt, the health secretary, pressing for the committee to reconsider. This caused an outcry from campaigners, and 118 paediatricians, nurses and scientists wrote to Jeremy Hunt, the health secretary, pressing for the committee to reconsider.
The backing for the Bexsero vaccine, manufactured by Novartis, is on condition that it can be delivered on a "cost-effective" basis. The backing for the Bexsero vaccine, manufactured by Novartis, was on condition that it can be delivered on a "cost-effective" basis.
2. What is meningitis B?2. What is meningitis B?
It is a bacterial infection that usually affects children under one year old.It is a bacterial infection that usually affects children under one year old.
There are about 1,870 cases each year in the UK.There are about 1,870 cases each year in the UK.
Symptoms include a high fever with cold hands and feet, confusion, vomiting and headaches,Symptoms include a high fever with cold hands and feet, confusion, vomiting and headaches,
With early diagnosis and antibiotic treatment, most will make a full recovery.With early diagnosis and antibiotic treatment, most will make a full recovery.
But it is fatal in one in 10 cases - and about one in four of those who survive are left with long-term problems, such as amputation, deafness, epilepsy and learning difficulties.But it is fatal in one in 10 cases - and about one in four of those who survive are left with long-term problems, such as amputation, deafness, epilepsy and learning difficulties.
Meningitis is an infection of the meninges - the membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.Meningitis is an infection of the meninges - the membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.
There are effective vaccines against other strains of meningitis - but until now not against Meningitis B.There are effective vaccines against other strains of meningitis - but until now not against Meningitis B.
3. Is the vaccine used already?3. Is the vaccine used already?
Yes - but this decision is set to mean the UK will be the first country in the world to add the jab to its routine childhood vaccination programme.Yes - but this decision is set to mean the UK will be the first country in the world to add the jab to its routine childhood vaccination programme.
Bexsero is already available privately in the UK.Bexsero is already available privately in the UK.
The vaccine has been found to be safe and well tolerated in trials involving more than 8,000 people.The vaccine has been found to be safe and well tolerated in trials involving more than 8,000 people.
It is thought to provide about 73% protection against meningitis B.It is thought to provide about 73% protection against meningitis B.
4. So when will children get it?4. So when will children get it?
Not just yet. The government and manufacturers GSK, who recently acquired the vaccine from Novartis, will now enter into negotiations about the cost of the vaccine to the NHS in a formal procurement process. We are still waiting to hear. The government and manufacturers GSK, who acquired the vaccine from Novartis, entered into negotiations about the cost of the vaccine to the NHS in a formal procurement process.
There is no commitment to when the vaccine might be introduced. But a cost-effective price has not yet been agreed with the manufacturers, and there is still no commitment to when the vaccine might be introduced.
But the government says it should be "as soon as possible", but that it "owes it to children" to ensure there is a reliable supply of vaccine which the NHS can deliver it effectively. The government said it should be "as soon as possible", but that it "owes it to children" to ensure there is a reliable supply of vaccine which the NHS can deliver it effectively.
5. Does this decision apply across the UK?5. Does this decision apply across the UK?
Yes, The JCVI advises all the UK health departments.Yes, The JCVI advises all the UK health departments.