New meningitis vaccines launched for babies and students

A catch-up service will be available for both vaccines

Two new vaccines against meningitis are to be launched later this year, the Welsh government has confirmed.

A vaccine for meningitis B will be made available for all babies from September.

There were nine cases in Wales in the first five months of 2015.

Meanwhile, students under the age of 25 who are attending university for the first time will get ACWY - a replacement for the existing meningitis C jab - in August.

Health Minister Mark Drakeford said: "Wales is one of the first countries in the world to introduce a nationwide MenB vaccination programme to help tackle the effects of this disease, which can be devastating for children and their families.

"I am very pleased to be able to approve the introduction of the MenACWY vaccine, which will protect teenagers against a number of forms of this disease, ensuring young people are protected at such an important time in their lives."

There will also be a catch-up programme for all 14 to 18-year-olds over the next two years for ACWY and for those children born between 1 May and 30 June, 2015.

What is meningitis?

• Meningitis is an infection of the meninges - the membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord

• Meningococcal bacteria are common and carried harmlessly in the nose or throat by about one in 10 people

• They are passed on through close contact

• Anyone can get meningitis but babies and young children are most vulnerable

• Symptoms include a high fever with cold hands and feet, agitation, confusion, vomiting and headaches

Q&A: Meningitis B vaccine