HC Deb 23 May 1990 vol 173 cc200-1W
Mr. Ashley

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects meningitis vaccination to be a routine part of the vaccination programme.

Mr. Dorrell

Routine vaccination with meningococcal vaccine is not recommended because the risk of meningococcal meningitis is low and, at present, there is no effective vaccine against meningococcal group B organisms which are the major cause of meningococcal disease in this country. However, there is an active programme of research into the development of such a vaccine.

Meningococcal vaccines effective against serotype A and C organisms are already available. Vaccine is given, in addition to chemoprophylaxis, to immediate family and close contacts of cases of serotype A and C meningitis. The vaccine is also available to those travelling to areas of the world where meningococcal vaccination is required or advisable.

Full details about meningococcal vaccines can be found in the 1990 edition of "Immunisation Against Infectious Disease", copies of which have been placed in the Library.