Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in Northern Ireland have contracted meningitis in the past 10 years; how many people in Northern Ireland have died of meningitis in the past 10 years; what programme the Government have in place to inform residents of Northern Ireland about the programmes on meningitis and its prevention; what is the financial cost of the programme in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [15180]
§ Mr. MossThe information on notifications of and deaths from meningitis is given in the table. Vaccination of pre-school children against Hib meningitis was introduced in Northern Ireland from October 1992 with a campaign to inform professionals and the public. The campaign cost £50,000 and the cost of the vaccination programme is in excess of £600,000 per annum. A further public awareness campaign about meningitis was mounted in February 1994 at a cost of £1,000.
167W
Year Notifications1 2 Deaths3 1985 150 12 1986 167 6 1987 104 11 1988 156 4 1989 131 13 1990 160 16
Year Notifications1 2 Deaths3 1991 195 14 1992 145 13 1993 166 11 1994 183 10 1995 158 n/a Source:
1 Returns submitted by Health and Social Services Board.
2Notifications since 1990 include meningococcal Septicaemia.
3General Register Office Northern Ireland.
n/a=Not yet available.