Parents concerned about reported side effects of new meningitis vaccine


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A national vaccination programme is currently under way offering parents of children aged between 2 months and 17 years an additional immunisation option over and above MMR and HiB at surgeries, clinics and schools all over the country - Meningitis C. Arguably the most deadly strain of the virus, Meningitis C poses the greatest threat to babies (owing to their under developed immune systems), with teenagers aged 15 - 17 being the next group most at risk (because they are an age group 'on the move' - starting new colleges and jobs and meeting new people).

The programme was launched in November 1999 in response to a significantly increased level of outbreaks of Meningitis C in the UK. According to literature produced by the NHS, 1530 cases were reported in the UK last year, resulting in 150 deaths. Because incidences in other countries are not as high, there is no parallel initiative taking place anywhere else in the world, although it has been trialled in the UK for some five years now. While the vast majority of parents are grateful for the opportunity to safeguard their children from this very serious disease which can also induce fatal septicaemia, recent reports in the press indicate that some children are experiencing certain distressing side effects following immunisation - anything from fevers to black-outs and headaches to fits. With the much publicised concern over a building body of evidence pointing to potential links between the MMR vaccine and brain damage/autism still fresh in parents' minds, naturally no one wants to take any risks. However, a direct correlation between the vaccination and the side effects subsequently experienced is still under research and, as yet, unproved with the Department of Health due to issue their findings later this year. The Meningitis Trust points out that, unlike MMR, the Meningitis C vaccine is a dead - not a live - formula and cannot therefore bring on the disease itself.

For more information about meningitis and septicaemia, talk to your GP, practice nurse, school nurse or health visitor. Alternatively, call the Health Information Service on Freefone 0800 665544 on any weekday between 10am and 4pm. You also might like to download read the NHS leaflet called 'Meningitis C - Reduce The Risk - Your Guide to the New Meningitis Vaccine' from www.immunisation.org.uk/ or contact the Meningitis Trust's 24 hour helpline on 0845 600 0800 to speak to a qualified nurse.

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