Thursday July 22, 3:39 pm Eastern Time
RPT-UK to launch meningitis C vaccine in October
LONDON, July 20 (Reuters) - Britain's Health Minister Frank Dobson unveiled plans on Tuesday to launch a nationwide ''meningitis C'' vaccination programme this autumn, after the infection claimed 150 lives last year.
The new vaccine against the meningococcal group C infection should be available on the National Health Service (NHS) by October.
The C strain of the infection affected 1,530 mainly elderly and young people in 1998 and triggered widespread alarm, after an outbreak of cases killed pupils in schools and colleges across the country.
The vaccine, which is still being costed by the government, will be supplied by three companies -- Chiron Biocine (Nasdaq:CHIR - news), North American Vaccines (AMEX:NVX - news) and American Home Products(NYSE:AHP - news) unit Wyeth Laboratories Ltd.
Wyeth will start supplying the NHS this autumn, with the other two firms expected to be ready with supplies by early next year.
''Providing the suppliers' timetables are kept to and licensing and procurement proceeds smoothly, a new immunisation programme should start in October this year and expand as rapidly as the manufacturers can supply the vaccine,'' Dobson told parliament.
The new vaccine, which will be ready for use earlier than expected, initially will be targeted at babies and young people -- the highest risk categories.
The programme is subject to licensing and will not protect against the Group B meningitis strain. Around one third of cases are usually in group C.
Medical symptoms include a fever, restlessness, vomiting, headaches, dislike of bright lights and drowsiness. If not treated quickly, meningitis can lead to collapse, coma and death. |
