Meningitis B vaccine hope grows with new research

CHILD health experts have hailed a medical trial that could lead to the widespread vaccination of children against deadly meningitis B.

Data presented by pharmaceutical giant Novartis revealed a large majority of infants given a new test drug achieved a robust immune response against strains of the disease.

Charity Meningitis UK said the results could eventually lead to a vaccine that would save the lives of thousands of children.

Meningitis B is the most common form of the disease, causing up to 80 per cent of cases in the UK. It can kill within 24 to 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.

Dr Andrew Pollard, professor of paediatric infection and immunity at Oxford University, said: "Meningitis B can be devastating for affected families and is a major concern for paediatricians who care for children with this serious illness.

"The disease can strike healthy children without warning and, in some countries, is the leading infectious cause of death in early life.

"Many cases of meningitis are prevented today by the vaccines, but the more complex meningitis B remains as a major threat to public health.

"The encouraging data presented on 4CMenB indicate the potential for additional protection to be provided by this new vaccine."

Paul Langford, chair of Meningitis UK's Scientific Advisory Panel, said: "The considerable challenge of producing an effective vaccine against meningococcal group B has always been the holy grail of researchers and vaccine companies.

"The results from this study do not allow a definitive answer to show whether this has finally been met but suggest that the goal may be within reach.

"The study has only reported data on three strains of meningococcal serogroup B bacteria. We look forward to finding out about the protection it provides against other strains.