'End delays' in introduction of Meningitis B vaccine - Durkan

SDLP Foyle MP Mark Durkan has tabled a parliamentary motion at Westminster expressing his deep frustration at continuing delays over the introduction of a new vaccine which would protect babies against Meningitis B.

Britain has one of the world’s highest Meningitis B rates and it kills more under-fives than any other infectious disease.

In March last year, the British government said the new vaccine – Bexsero – would be given free to babies up to age one on the NHS, subject to price negotiations with developer Novartis.

Mr Durkan (pictured above), who played a pivotal role in the Meningitis Now ‘Beat it Now!’ campaign to bring in the new vaccine, said "time lost is lives lost."

He said: “It is now two years since the Meningitis B vaccine was licensed for use in Europe, including the UK (22 January 2013), and one year since the public letter signed by over 100 nurses, doctors and scientists which called for positive decisions on that vaccine.

“Time lost is lives lost and this vaccine could prevent 82 per cent of cases of Meningitis B and the lifelong damage and loss of life it tragically brings.

“We have a real opportunity to prevent a disease which kills or maims many children throughout these islands."

Mr Durkan concluded: “I am therefore extremely frustrated at continuing delays in securing its inclusion in the Routine Immunisation Schedule (of the NHS) – and have appealed to the British government and Novartis to ‘end the delays’ and bring their negotiations on the vaccine to a positive resolution.”