top of page

Meningitis Research Foundation Welcomes Introduction of New MenB Vaccine to Protect Babies

Writer's picture: CoMOCoMO

28 August 2015 International charity Meningitis Research Foundation welcomes the rollout from 1 September of the world’s first comprehensive vaccination programme for babies against meningococcal B (MenB) meningitis and septicaemia through the UK’s immunisation programme.

Since the MenC vaccine was introduced in 1999, nearly eliminating the strain, confirmed cases of meningococcal disease in the UK have ranged from 747 to 2757 yearly. This is likely to be an underestimate because not all cases are confirmed by the laboratory and are therefore not recorded. 

The majority of this remaining meningococcal disease is caused by MenB. It is a deadly disease that can strike anyone of any age without warning, killing one in ten, and leaving a third of survivors with life altering after-effects as severe as deafness, brain damage and loss of limbs.  Babies, children under five and young adults are most at risk.

The UK are world leaders in vaccine protection against meningitis and the new MenB vaccine joins others against meningococcal C, Hib and pneumococcal meningitis and septicaemia already in the UK immunisation programme.

Chief Executive of Meningitis Research Foundation Christopher Head said: “We are delighted with the introduction of the new MenB vaccine as it has been at the top of this charity's agenda for many years. Our research and campaigning contributed to the adoption of the MenB vaccine in the UK.  We hope this vaccine will save many lives and spare countless families the trauma of seeing a loved one die or become seriously disabled because of MenB. Over the next decade this vaccine could potentially prevent UP TO 4,000 cases of meningococcal disease in children younger than 5 years in the UK. However despite this welcome progress we must remind everyone there are still some forms of the disease which are not covered by vaccines so it is vital that people are still aware of the symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia.”

  • All babies born on or after 1 July 2015 will be eligible to receive the MenB vaccine as part of the routine schedule at 2, 4 and 12 months of age.

  • Babies born between 1 May 2015 and 30 June 2015 will also be eligible for the vaccine

  • Babies born before 1 May 2015 will not be offered the vaccine on the NHS. It will remain available privately for parents and carers who want to immunise older children.

Catch up schedule for children born between 1 May 2015 and 30 June 2015


  • Those who have not already received any routine vaccinations should have MenB at the same time as their first and third routine infant vaccinations

  • Those who have already received their first dose of routine vaccinations should have MenB at the same time as their second and third routine infant vaccinations

  • Those who have already received their first and second dose of routine vaccinations should have MenB at the same time as their third routine infant vaccinations

  • Booster of MenB should also be offered at 12-13 months


For any questions about the new MenB vaccine or another questions about meningitis and septicaemia please call MRF’s Freefone helpline on 080 8800 3344 or log on to www.meningitis.org/menB



Media contacts:

For further information or to speak to the case study please contact Becky Pierce-Jones on 01454 280416/ beckypj@meningitis.org or Adrian Robson on 01454 280417 / adrianr@meningitis.org. Out of office hours please call the media mobile on 07875 498047



Notes to editors:


  • On March 29 Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF) supporters across the UK celebrated the news that a long awaited and hard campaigned-for vaccine against meningococcal meningitis type B (MenB), one of the most feared and deadly forms of the disease, will be offered to babies for free under the NHS. However, we remain concerned that there is no catch-up campaign for toddlers and no recommendation for teenagers, the second highest ‘at risk’ group, to be routinely vaccinated. Vaccinating this age group has the potential to protect the wider population because they are key to transmission and spread.

  • There are currently 16 projects in MRF’s active research programme in addition to the MRF Meningococcus Genome Library, an ongoing research resource that was started with MRF funds. Research to evaluate meningococcal vaccines has been announced as a top priority in the Foundation’s current research rounds.

  • Since the charity was founded in 1989, we have awarded 147 research grants. The total value of our investment in vital scientific research is over £18.6 million. Our guidelines for health professionals, are officially endorsed by medical associations and colleges.

  • MRF also supports those already affected with a telephone helpline, home visits and members’ days. Our Freefone helpline – 080 8800 3344 – provides information to the general public and those affected by the disease. We provide symptoms information, research and case studies at www.meningitis.org


Donations can be made online but people can also donate £5 from their mobile phone by texting GIFT00 £5 to 70070

202 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

CoMO Moves to the UK!

15 December 2015 📷 On Monday 7th December the Confederation of Meningitis Organisations formally moved its head office from Perth,...

コメント


#DefeatMeningitis

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
CoMO Logo + established 2004 - transpare

© Confederation of Meningitis Organisations and Meningitis Research Foundation
A charity registered in England and Wales no 1091105, in Scotland no SC037586, & in Ireland 20034368
A company limited by guarantee, registered in England no 4367866
Registered Office: Room 703, The Programme Building 7th Floor, The Pithay, Bristol BS1 2NB

bottom of page