New meningococcal vaccination programme launched in England

Public Health England has launched a meningococcal vaccination programme for teenagers aged between 17 and 18 years old.

The new MenACWY vaccination programme that will offer teenagers protection against meningitis and septicaemia caused by four meningococcal strains, including MenW, with all adolescents born between September 1st 1996 and August 31st 1997 in England being eligible.

It is being introduced in response to a rapidly growing increase in cases of MenW, a highly aggressive strain of meningococcal disease, with 22 cases recorded in 2009 and 117 in 2014. This accounts for around one-quarter of all laboratory-confirmed meningococcal cases in England.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation reviewed the outbreak and concluded that this increase was likely to continue in future years unless action is taken, advising that all 14 to 18-year-olds should be immunised.

Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at Public Health England, said: "Meningitis can be deadly and survivors are often left with severe disabilities as a result of this terrible disease. This vaccine will save lives and prevent permanent disability."

A second MenB vaccination programme targeted at young children will begin on September 1st.