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Q&A: Meningitis B vaccine Q&A: Meningitis B vaccine
(about 1 month later)
All babies in the UK will soon have a potentially life-saving vaccine against meningitis B, after a deal with drug manufacturers was agreed. All babies in the UK will be given a potentially life-saving vaccine against meningitis B from the autumn, as part of a national immunisation programme.
1. What has happened?1. What has happened?
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 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 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 Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt 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.
Discussions between the Department of Health and GlaxoSmithKline - the company that manufactures the Bexsero vaccine - over the price began in August 2014.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.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.On 29 March, Mr Hunt announced an agreement with the firm to supply the vaccine.
In June, it was announced that the vaccine would be given to all babies at two months, four months and 12 months old as part of the childhood immunisation programme in England and Scotland from 1 September 2015.
Wales and Northern Ireland are expected to follow suit later in the autumn.
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 1,200 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 people 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 around 80%-90% protection against meningitis B.
4. So when will children get it?4. So when will children get it?
The agreement means the vaccine can be introduced on the NHS "this year", Mr Hunt said. The vaccine will be introduced on the NHS and given to all babies in England and Scotland from September 2015.
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 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 Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has also advised that when the programme starts there should be a one-off, catch-up programme for infants aged three and four months of age who will be attending clinics for their routine vaccinations.
This is because the numbers of cases peaks in infants at around five or six months of age.