Campaign urges introduction of meningitis jabs

THE Meningitis Trust has launched a campaign urging the Government to introduce pneumococcal vaccines in a bid to reduce the numbers contracting the potentially fatal disease.

Meningitis kills more children under five in Ireland than any other infectious disease and parents have been warned to be vigilant against possible symptoms.

Routine pneumococcal vaccinations will get under way in Britain next April and are already carried out in America, Canada and Australia.

The Meningitis Trust pointed out yesterday that children in the North will be vaccinated from April 1, and is campaigning for children in this state to be given equal protection.

Radio and TV personality Marty Whelan joined the Meningitis Trust’s mascot Monty to launch the trust’s Christmas Campaign, which centres around Adam Jordan from Dublin. At just seven-and-a-half-months-old, Adam contracted pneumococcal meningitis. Thankfully he recovered well, but others are not so lucky.

Those who recover can suffer serious after-effects, including brain damage, deafness, and in cases of meningococcal septicaemia (blood poisoning) even loss of limbs.

Meningitis can affect people of any age and early diagnosis is crucial in treating the disease. The Meningitis Trust’s appeal leaflet includes a Christmas card with a difference — a “Signs and Symptoms” card that could help save a life.

The Meningitis Trust will use the money raised by this campaign to fund its free Helpline (1800 523 196), continue its awareness work, and provide support and counselling services for those affected by the disease.

Approximately 300 cases of meningitis are reported every year in Ireland, but experts estimate that this is only half of the true picture. There is still no vaccine available to protect against the meningococcal group B bacteria.

Anyone who spots any signs of symptoms should get immediate medical help.

Symptoms can appear in any order and some may not appear at all.