Meningitis cases see fall due to programme

The number of cases of meningitis in Ireland has fallen dramatically thanks to the national vaccination programme introduced in October 2000.

Prior to that, there were on average 130 cases a year, but since then they have dropped to just 14.

Director of the National Disease Surveillance Centre, Dr Darina O'Flanagan, said the trend will continue if parents continue to immunise their children at the right ages; at 2, 4, and 6 months.