Concern over meningitis vaccine delay

A BOOSTER vaccine programme to protect children against a bacteria responsible for serious diseases including meningitis will not begin until the end of the year, when the risk of infection is greatest.

Consultant paediatrician and member of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) Dr Kevin Connolly said he was disappointed the committee’s decision last July to recommend the booster be offered had not been implemented sooner.

He said it was “inevitable” children would be infected with the disease during the winter.