Since september 2015 uk babies born on or after 1 july 2015 have been offered the menb meningococcal group b vaccine as part of the routine immunisation schedule and babies born on or after 1 may were offered the vaccine as part of a one off catchup campaign. Babies are at high risk because they do not have immune. Vaccination with meningococcal conjugate vaccine is. At its october 2012 meeting, the advisory committee on immunization practices acip voted to recommend vaccination against meningococcal serogroups c and y for children aged 6 weeks through 18 months at increased risk for meningococcal disease. Haemophilus influenzae, a gram negative coccobacillus, is divided into unencapsulated nontypable and encapsulated strains. Immunisation of individuals with underlying medical conditions. Your child needs several different vaccines to be fully protected, so its important to complete their childhood immunisation programme. A trial comparing two pertussiscontaining vaccines in.
The routine infant meningococcal b menb vaccine against meningitis and septicaemia in the uk and ireland babies are offered the menb meningococcal group b vaccine, bexsero, as part of the routine immunisation schedule at 2, 4 and 12 months of age. The introduction of menb immunisation will have an important role in reducing cases of meningitis and septicaemia and their. Updated to reflect changes to the meningococcal vaccine schedules, catch ups and supplies, including removal of the infant dose of meningitis group c vaccine from the routine childhood programme. For additional information on funding of the immunisation programme please. Why is the meningitis vaccine funded only for babies and are there any risks. Young babies are very vulnerable to infections, so they need to be protected as early as possible. Uk immunisation policy and guidance today is published online in the immunisation against infectious disease, known as the green book.
There are five current meningitis vaccines following significant work into developing meningitis vaccines over the last 20 years. Plunket recommends immunising your baby for protection against 12 diseases. Costeffectiveness of a pneumococcal conjugate immunisation program for infants in switzerland article in vaccine 2123. Meningococcal group b vaccine meningitis research foundation. The latter are further classified into serotypes, with the haemophilus influenzae serotype b being the most pathogenic for humans, responsible for respiratory infections, ocular infection, sepsis and meningitis. Bcg was discontinued for mantoux nonreactors and bcg booster dose was also discontinued in july 2001.
Immunisation is recommended by the world health organization, the new zealand ministry of health, and medical authorities. Comorbidity was defined as presence of a highrisk condition as defined in the green book on immunization. Infection with the encapsulated bacterium streptococcus pneumoniae causes pneumococcal infection, which may be invasive for example causing bacteraemic pneumonia, bacteraemia, meningitis or noninvasive for example. Infants born on or after 1 january 2020, infants born on or after 1 january 2020 will be offered one dose of pcv at 12 weeks and a booster at one year. Characteristics of children with invasive pneumococcal. Haemophilus influenzae type b hib conjugate vaccine was introduced into the uks routine childhood immunisation schedule in 1992. The greatest benefit is if given within 24 hours, and must be given within 7 days. For more information please see the relevant green book chapters. The australian technical advisory group on immunisation consults with stakeholders on proposed changes to vaccination recommendations for inclusion in the australian immunisation handbook. However, it is your choice whether or not to immunise your child. All parties are welcome to make a submission on draft recommendations. Why is the meningitis vaccine funded only for babies and. Should be given to all infants as soon as practicable after birth.
Immunisation prepares the body to fight serious infections that might happen in the future. This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. The green book has the latest information on vaccines and vaccination procedures, for vaccine preventable infectious diseases in the uk. The bcg immunisation programme has contributed significantly to the eradication of tb meningitis in young children. Acip vaccine recommendations and guidelines include the ages when the vaccines should be given, the number of doses needed, the amount of. Underones are most at risk from meningitis b, so when the immunisation programme was brought in. The meningococcal vaccines protect against meningococcal disease, which can lead to bacterial meningitis and other serious infections.
First dose must be given by 14 weeks of age, the second dose by 24 weeks of age. Chapter 7 immunisation of individuals with underlying medical conditionsanuary 22 7 immunisation of individuals with underlying medical conditions introduction some medical conditions increase the risk of complications from infectious diseases, and children and adults with such conditions should be immunised as a matter of priority. What is meningitis b and why dont older children get the vaccine. For the vaccine to be effective the first dose must be given before 14 weeks of age and the second dose course completed by 24 weeks of age. The advisory committee on immunization practices acip develops recommendations on how to use vaccines to control disease in the united states. Advisory committee on immunization practices acip recommendations and rationale. A significant number of families in the uk and ireland are also choosing to pay for menb. A trial comparing two pertussiscontaining vaccines in pregnancy and vaccine responses in uk mothers and their infants imap2 the safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Inclusion of hepatitis b vaccine in the routine infant immunisation programme for all infants born from or after 1 august 2017. The green book the green book has the latest information on vaccines and vaccination procedures for all the vaccine preventable infectious diseases that may occur in. There is a marked seasonal variation in meningococcal disease, with peak levels in the winter months declining to low levels by late summer. There will be some infants in nicu who will need to have their first dose before or at discharge. In addition, some travelers who are taking effective prophylaxis but who will be in remote areas may decide, in consultation with their travel health provider, to take along a reliable supply of a full course of an approved malaria treatment regimen see box 404 for the definition of reliable supply.
The joint committee on vaccination and immunisation s jcvi statement about meningococcal b disease and the use of menb vaccine is available at. Vaccinations are important to both maternal and child health. As a result, the incidence of invasive disease declined to less than 5% of its previous level by 1998. What is meningitis b and why dont older children get.
Children should receive most of these as part of the nhs vaccination schedule speak to your gp if youre not sure whether your or your childs vaccinations are uptodate. The routine infant meningococcal b menb vaccine against. Meningococcal b menb vaccine is routinely given to babies in the uk and ireland at 2, 4 and 12 months. Its important to remember that not all strains of meningitis are covered so be aware of the signs and symptoms. Proposed changes to the recommended use of the pneumococcal vaccine. We are writing to advise you that immunisation against meningococcal b disease menb will be added to the childhood immunisation programme as part of the routine schedule in england from 1 september 2015. Factsheet about invasive haemophilus influenzae disease. Meningococcal disease the australian immunisation handbook. Hepatitis b immunisation for infants born to hepatitis b carrier mothers was incorporated into the ncip in october.