There is no need for any child to go unprotected. Children have been targeted in the immunisation campaign because they are the highest risk group and as yet there are no firm plans to offer the jab to adults, although experts are investigating patterns of the disease in those over 18. There is still no vaccine for the B strain, although experts in the Netherlands have developed a prototype which British scientists are now looking at. Experts also dismissed fears over the meningitis C vaccine, saying the risks were minimal. I believe the vaccine has been shown to be highly effective and completely safe.
Any risks associated with the vaccine are nothing compared to the risks associated with the disease.
Sixteen children have died after having the vaccine, but none of the deaths have been found to be related to the jab. In the last six months of 2000, England and Wales went for 22 weeks without a single case of meningitis C in babies under one, compared to just five weeks with no cases in the last six months of the previous year. From now on only babies of two, three and four months will be vaccinated as routine because all other children should now be protected. Experts believe that once given, the jab should protect from the disease for life. The foundation is delighted at the impact the vaccine has had in the age groups immunised but believes this reinforces the importance of continued awareness and further research until vaccines are available to protect against all forms of meningitis and septicaemia.