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Life-saving meningitis jab for babies rolled out

A new vaccine to prevent against a deadly meningitis strain is to be given to babies in Northern Ireland, England and Scotland from today
A new vaccine to prevent against a deadly meningitis strain is to be given to babies in Northern Ireland, England and Scotland from today A new vaccine to prevent against a deadly meningitis strain is to be given to babies in Northern Ireland, England and Scotland from today

A new vaccine which helps prevent against a deadly meningitis strain is being offered to babies in Northern Ireland from today (TUES).

The meningitis B jab is available on the NHS to infants aged two months, followed by a second dose at four months and a booster at 12 months, as part of the routine childhood vaccination programme.

It will help protect babies against infection by meningococcal group B bacteria, which can cause meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning).

The jab will be offered to babies born after July 1. In addition, a temporary catch-up programme also begins today and is offered to those children born between May 1 and June 30.

While meningitis B can affect people of any age, it is most common in babies and children under five.

Tests suggest that the new vaccine, called Bexsero, will protect against around 90 per cent of the meningococcal group-B bacteria strains circulating in the UK.

Around 1,200 people - mainly babies and children - get meningitis B each year, with around one in 10 dying from the infection and others left with permanent disabilities.

Today's scheme is the first publicly-funded programme to protect against the strain in the world.

Welcoming the announcement, health minister Simon Hamilton said: "This is an historic step forward in fighting this devastating disease. I would encourage the parents of every eligible baby to protect their child with this vaccine."

Dr Richard Smithson, a consultant at the north's Public Health Agency, said: "Meningococcal group B bacteria are a serious cause of life-threatening infections, including meningitis and blood poisoning, and are the leading infectious killer of babies and young children in the UK, so it is an important development that we are now able to vaccinate babies against it."

The health expert said that the new vaccine, like others, might cause side effects but they are usually mild and don't last long.

"More babies may develop a fever soon after this vaccination than with other vaccines, so it is recommended that you give them liquid paracetamol just after the vaccine and two further doses about four to six hours apart to reduce this risk. It is therefore important to make sure you have some infant liquid paracetamol in the house before you take your baby to be vaccinated."

Other side effects may include redness and tenderness at the place of injection, and irritability.

Dr Smithson added that although the vaccine greatly reduces the chances of getting meningitis, there are some strains it doesn't protect against.

"Therefore it is still important to know the signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia and seek medical help immediately if your child, you, or someone you know, experiences them."

Warning symptoms include:

•Fever, cold hands and feet

•Vomiting and diarrhoea

•Drowsiness, difficult to wake up

•Irritability and/or confusion

•Dislike of bright lights

•Severe headache or muscle pains

•Pale, blotchy skin with or without a rash

•Convulsions/seizures

•Stiff neck