New Meningitis B Vaccine Introduced in the UK for Children

Novartis, a world leader in providing healthcare solutions for patients and societies, will soon offer the new Bexsero vaccine that defends against meningitis B. The National Health Service may offer it for free.

Babies under a year old have the highest risk of contracting meningitis B, an infection that affects the membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. As a result, the vaccine is scheduled to be administered at two, four and 12 months of age. In the UK, 1,870 contract meningitis B each year and 10% die.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has now recommended that the government make a decision on the vaccine, because the committee said last year that it was not cost-effective. Bexsero is currently offered privately.

Meningitis B is the most common case of bacterial meningitis in the UK, and Bexsero's trials have been found to be very encouraging, and have revealed strong immune responses in infants. The JVCI has recommended that the vaccine be issued free of charge to people with higher risks of contracting the infection.

Meningitis Now, a UK charity founded nearly 30 years ago, is extremely happy with the vaccination's results and soon-to-be widespread release. They've been funding research, raising awareness, and providing support for defending against meningitis B. The charity's founder, Steve Dayman, believes in the vaccine's effectiveness.

"This is the most monumental announcement in the fight against the disease in the 31 years I have campaigned to eradicate meningitis," he said in this Guardian news article. "This vaccine will save thousands of lives and spare survivors and their families the pain of living with life-changing after-effects."

Now, the UK's Deputy Chief Medical Officer Professor John Watson will be negotiating with Novartis in the coming months to determine a date to implement a nationwide vaccination program for Boxsero in a cost effective manner.

To read more about meningitis B and the new Bexsero vaccine, visit this BBC News article.