The NHS is to introduce a new vaccination to protect against pneumococcal disease as part of the main vaccinations programme for children under one year of age.
It will be introduced from April this year, making the current 'three-in-one' jabs (which babies have at two, three and four months) now 'five-in-one'. Children currently under two years of age will also be offered a 'catch up' dose of the pneumococcal vaccine.
What is meningitis?
There are different kinds of meningitis - which causes an inflammation of the lining of the brain and around the spinal cord. Viral meningitis is not as serious as bacterial meningitis. The most serious incidences of meningitis can kill within hours. Meningococcal bacteria can result in meningitis or septicaemia.
Symptoms of Meningitis: Headache, discomfort at bright light, fever, neck stiffness or aching, tiredness. Most notably, your child may develop a red rash of spots.
Symptoms of Septicaemia: Rash, fever, vomiting, high pitched cry, jerky or lifeless, blotchy skin getting pale or turning blue, shivering, rapid breathing, stomach or joint/muscle aches.
The 'tumbler test': Concerned parents are advised to apply a cold glass to the skin and roll it firmly over the rash. If the rash does not fade (most harmless viral rashes will) then you should seek medical help immediately.
A promising prospect
The charity most concerned with this sometimes life-threatening condition - the Meningitis Research Foundation - welcomes the jab being made routinely available. The move was comfirmed by the NHS today (February 8, 2006).
Why a new vaccine is welcome
Until now, Men C and HiB vaccines within the routine childhood programme of innoculation have acted to protect against some forms of meningitis, but the vaccine to combat pneumococcal meningitis has only been available to children under five who were deemed to have ongoing conditions which put them at increased risk.
Annually, there are around 400 instances in England alone, of diseases which could be helped by the vaccine. It is thought this new move will save the lives of around 30 children a year.
There is still no vaccine for Group B meningitis, however, so vigilance is the best parental practice.
For more information about the vaccine, related illnesses and other treatments, visit the Meningitis Research Foundation website.
If you are concerned about the condition, they have a 24-hour helpline: 080 8800 3344.
