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Pneumococcal vaccine date named

A new vaccine against pneumococcal meningitis will be offered to every child under two in the UK from the autumn, the Department of Health has announced. From 4 September every child starting their routine immunisations at two months of age can receive a jab against pneumococcal disease, which can cause meningitis, pneumonia and septicaemia (see Nursery World, 6 July, Child Health, p22). The DoH will also run a catch-up campaign to ensure that every child aged up to two is offered the vaccination from September until early next year.
A new vaccine against pneumococcal meningitis will be offered to every child under two in the UK from the autumn, the Department of Health has announced.

From 4 September every child starting their routine immunisations at two months of age can receive a jab against pneumococcal disease, which can cause meningitis, pneumonia and septicaemia (see Nursery World, 6 July, Child Health, p22). The DoH will also run a catch-up campaign to ensure that every child aged up to two is offered the vaccination from September until early next year.

Meningitis Trust chief executive Philip Kirby welcomed the move. He said, 'We have been campaigning for this vaccine for some time and we're very pleased that we now have an exact date for implementation.'

But he added, 'We urge people to continue to be alert to the signs and symptoms of meningitis, as we still don't have a vaccine for meningitis B, the most common bacterial cause of the disease.'

Full details of the changes to the routine programme are to be sent to health professionals. Parents and health professionals can access information at www.immunisation.nhs.uk.