A CHARITY is encouraging people to take up new free meningitis vaccines.
They are available for babies, teenagers and university students for the first time.
Christopher Head, chief executive, Meningitis Research Foundation said: “We are delighted with the introduction of these new vaccines which we hope will further reduce the number of cases in the UK.”
The world’s first comprehensive vaccination programme for babies against meningococcal B meningitis and septicaemia was introduced on September 1.
A meningococcal ACWY vaccination programme started in August for 14 to 18 year old schoolchildren and 19 to 25 year olds starting university for the first time.
The charity reminds the public that not everyone is eligible for the vaccines and some forms of the disease are not covered by these vaccines so it is vital that people are still aware of the symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia.
Visit meningitis.org for more details.
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