GlaxoSmithKline’s Bexsero shows effectiveness in UK vaccination programme

GlaxoSmithKline has announced preliminary data showing how its drug Bexsero has helped to drive the success of the UK's national meningitis B immunisation programme.

The vaccination scheme is the first of its kind in the world, with more than 90 percent of the 600,000 infants aged one year and below who were eligible for the vaccine receiving two doses in the first year since the programme's launch.

Data from Public Health England has estimated the effectiveness of the vaccine at 83 percent against any meningitis B strain and 94 percent against vaccine preventable strains for all children receiving the first two of three recommended doses.

Moreover, reported cases of the disease have dropped 50 percent among the vaccine-eligible population in the first ten months of the programme, when compared to the average number of cases over the last four years.

Dr Thomas Breuer, chief medical officer at GlaxoSmithKline Vaccines, said: "We are extremely encouraged by the initial results of the UK programme, which demonstrate that Bexsero helps to protect babies in the UK from this often life-threatening disease."

Bexsero is currently the only meningococcal B vaccine licensed in Europe and is approved in more than 35 countries.

With? ?over? ?20? ?years? ?of? ?experience? ?within? ?the? ?pharmaceutical? ?market,? ?we? ?at? ?Zenopa? ?have? ?the knowledge,? ?skills? ?and? ?expertise? ?to? ?help? ?find? ?the? ?right? ?job? ?for? ?you.? ?To? ?find? ?out? ?more? ?about? ?the current? ?pharmaceutical? ?roles? ?we? ?have? ?available,? ?you? ?can? ?search? ?for? ?the? ?latest? ?job? ?roles, register? ?your? ?details,? ?or? ?contact? ?the? ?team? ?today.