A vaccine that protects against a deadly form of meningitis is set to be introduced in the UK. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which has recommended the move to the government, had said last year that the jab was not cost-effective.Meningitis charities said more data had led to today’s decision, and it was a "wonderful outcome".
About 1,760 people contract meningitis B each year and one in 10 dies. Babies under one year are most at risk of meningitis B, and the cases peak at around five or six months of age.
The bacterial infection causes inflammations of the brain and spinal cord. It leaves around a third with life-altering effects, such as brain damage or limb loss. The JCVI said the vaccine was effective in preventing meningitis B and should be rolled out subject to it being made available by the manufacturer "at a cost effective price".
It has recommended the jab be added to the existing immunisation schedule, starting at two months of age. Around 700,000 infants will be eligible for vaccination each year.