A NEW vaccine to prevent deadly meningitis is to be given to babies in Scotland from today.
The meningitis B jab is being offered on the NHS for infants aged two months, followed by a second dose at four months and a booster at 12 months.
There will also be a temporary catch-up programme for babies who are due their three and four-month vaccinations throughout September.
The scheme, which has been delayed by cost disputes, is the first national and publicly-funded programme against the infection in the world. The jab protects against infection by meningococcal group B bacteria, which can cause meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning).
While meningitis B can affect people of any age, it is most common in babies and children under five.
Tests suggest that the new vaccine, called Bexsero, will protect against around 90 per cent of the meningococcal group B bacteria strains circulating in the UK.
Around 1,200 people – mainly babies and children – get meningitis B each year, with around one in 10 dying from the infection and others left with permanent disabilities.
Scotland is now one of the few nations in the world to offer the vaccination programme to infants under one year of age who are most at risk of MenB and the number of cases peak at around five months of age.
Health Secretary Shona Robison said: “The programme will offer families in Scotland extra peace of mind at what should be a such a happy time in their lives.”
Sue Davie, chief executive of the Meningitis Now charity, said it was great to see the MenB vaccine “reach this milestone”.
She said it would not only save lives straight away but also for years to come.
Alan Glynn, from Perth, whose daughter died from meningitis, said this was a historic day in the battle against meningitis and septicaemia.
He added: “My daughter Alexis Rose contracted meningococcal Group B meningitis in 2011 when she was 19-months-old.
“I hope many lives will be saved. There is still the wider war to fight against other strains of the disease. I would urge parents to be vigilant of the symptoms, particularly if their child seems to be unwell with another minor illness.”
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