Expert denies slow State response to booster campaign

THE medical expert leading a booster vaccine campaign to protect children from bacterial meningitis and other diseases has rejected claims the State is dragging its heels in offering the vaccination.

Dr Kevin Kelleher of the Health Service Executive (HSE) said the authority began planning the campaign as soon as it received the National Immunisation Advisory Committee’s (NIAC) recommendation early in August.

The NIAC had informed the Department of Health in July that the booster was necessary after noting a number of children had developed meningitis and other conditions, despite receiving the vaccine against haemophilius influenzae type B (HiB) infection.