New meningitis jab to cover six additional strains

A MORE widely protective meningitis vaccination is to be added to the child immunisation schedule this autumn.

The new vaccine will provide protection against a further six strains of the disease which cause the most serious remaining pneumococcal infections. The vaccine will be given to children from October 1.

The charity Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF) has welcomed the Government’s decision to introduce the new vaccine, saying that it will “further protect children” against the deadly disease.