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Meningitis Trust media statment
EMBARGOED UNTIL 00.01AM ON TUESDAY 19.01.10
Responding to the news that a new 13-valent vaccine for pneumococcal disease has been accepted into the Childhood Immunisation Programme, Sue Davie, Chief Executive of the Meningitis Trust, says;
“We, at the Meningitis Trust are delighted with this announcement. Although there is already a vaccine available to protect against pneumococcal disease in the UK, this new vaccine will protect against six more strains (serotypes) than is currently available.
Pneumococcal meningitis is a devastating disease and vaccination is the only way to prevent it. With meningitis killing more children under five than any other infectious disease in the UK, introducing this improved vaccine into the Childhood Immunisation Programme is a very positive step forward in the fight against the disease that can kill within just a few hours. We fully support any advances and improvements into safe and effective vaccines as we see first-hand the impact meningitis can have on the individual, their family and friends. Every day we hear how people's lives have been changed forever after contracting meningitis, so anything that may prevent this suffering is supported by us.
However, although this vaccine will prevent many cases of meningitis, there are still many other strains of the disease for which there is no vaccine. And, in the absence of a vaccine to protect against all strains of the disease, we would urge people to remain vigilant for the signs and symptoms of meningitis and to trust their instincts at all times.
It is particularly important for people to be aware of the similarities of the symptoms of meningitis to those of flu or swine flu, as misdiagnosis could be fatal. During the winter months cases of bacterial meningitis increase, and with the current cold weather set to continue, it’s more important than ever for people to be aware of the symptoms and to keep meningitis at the back of their minds if they are concerned.
For a full list of symptoms, people can visit our website www.meningitis-trust.org or call our freephone 24-hour helpline, staffed by nurses, on 0800 028 18 28. And if anyone has any questions about the new vaccine, or other meningitis vaccines, we would urge that they get in touch with us and our nurses can talk them through what's available.
There will always be meningitis in some form and there will always be people struggling to cope with its after-effects. The Meningitis Trust is dedicated to providing lifelong practical, emotional and financial support to anyone living with the impact of meningitis”.
For further information, please call the Meningitis Trust’s Press Office on 01453 768000, or visit www.meningitis-trust.org.
