A vaccination to protect children against pneumococcal disease has just been launched in the UK. All children aged two and below will be offered the vaccine as part of a nationwide catch-up campaign.
Pneumococcal infection can lead to serious illnesses such as meningitis and pneumonia. Ear infections are also a common result of this bacreria. Each year 400 children are affected by the disease. Of this number, 50 are killed and a large number are left disabled.
NEW VACCINATION SCHEDULE
 Two months: DTaP/IPV/Hib + pneumococcal vaccine
Three months: DTaP/IPV/Hib + MenC vaccine
Four months: DTaP/IPV/Hib + MenC + pneumococcal vaccine
12 months: Hib/Men C
13 months: MMR + pneumococcal vaccine
DTaP/IPV/Hib is a single injection that protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Hib
MenC protects against meningitis C
Hib/ MenC is a combined vaccine protecting against Hib and Meningitis C
Concerns over the vaccine’s cost has delayed its introduction to the UK but it has been around in the US for five years. The cost of the jab is £34.50 which is more than every other childhood vaccines put together.
Announcing the new programme, Sir Liam Donaldson, the Chief Medical Officer for England, said: "The new vaccine will save lives and prevent hundreds more cases of serious illness and disability in both the young and old as well as reducing the need for medical care. Immunisation is the best way to protect children from serious disease and the routine childhood programme has been extremely effective in achieving this. The changes set out today will further improve the programme and benefit children."
From now the vaccine will be offered to every child at two months of age starting their routine immunisations. Until early next year the catch-up campaign allows every child up to the age of two years old to be offered the vaccination.
October 2006 | 
Abortion Time Limit Cut?
