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Q&A: Meningitis B vaccine Q&A: Meningitis B vaccine
(about 2 months later)
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. All babies in the UK will soon have a potentially life-saving vaccine against meningitis B, after a deal with drug manufacturers was agreed.
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, recommended last year babies be given the meningitis B vaccine, from two months of age. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation - the expert body that advises the government on vaccinations - recommended last year that babies be given the meningitis B vaccine, from two months of age.
The committee had previously 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 that the vaccine should not be introduced - because, it said, it was not cost effective.
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. This caused an outcry from campaigners, and 118 paediatricians, nurses and scientists wrote to Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt pressing for the committee to reconsider.
The backing for the Bexsero vaccine, manufactured by Novartis, was on condition that it can be delivered on a "cost-effective" basis. Discussions between the Department of Health and GlaxoSmithKline - the company that manufactures the Bexsero vaccine - over the price began in August 2014.
However, the government could not agree a price for the vaccine.
On 29 March, Mr Hunt announced an agreement with the firm to supply the vaccine.
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?
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. The agreement means the vaccine can be introduced on the NHS "this year", Mr Hunt said.
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. The drug will now be added to the childhood immunisation scheme, meaning babies will receive the first vaccine at two months old, followed by two further doses.
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?
Yes, The JCVI advises all the UK health departments.