The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has urged the NHS to offer the meningitis B vaccine to everyone born before April 2015, including catch-up doses for those who missed out as children.
New Recommendations for Teenagers
The JCVI advises that teenagers should receive one or two doses of the MenB vaccine at age 15, depending on whether they were vaccinated as infants. The recommendation also includes catch-up programmes for those who would otherwise have missed the vaccine.
The committee stated it “strongly supports” giving two doses of the MenB vaccine to children born on or before April 30, 2015, when they reach around 15 years old.
Expert and Charity Reactions
Prof Wei Shen Lim, chair of the JCVI, said: “Invasive meningococcal disease is a rare but very serious illness, which can have a devastating impact on lives. JCVI has worked closely with meningitis charities and would like to thank all those who responded, including on behalf of loved ones who sadly died or had life-changing complications. Their lived experiences were carefully considered.”
Dr Tom Nutt, chief executive of Meningitis Now, called the recommendation a “significant moment in the fight against meningitis.” He added: “We have consistently called for the vaccination of this age group, who remain at increased risk of MenB disease. Today’s recommendation is an important step towards ensuring that far more young people are protected from this devastating disease. Behind today’s recommendation are countless families whose lives have been forever changed by meningitis. Many have channelled their grief, loss and lived experience into tirelessly campaigning for change, determined that other families should never have to endure what they have been through. Today we remember all lives lost to meningitis and recognise this landmark step takes us closer to a world where no-one has to experience this devastating disease.”
