§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the cost of providing a booster vaccination for bacterial meningitis; [185408]
(2) what plans he has to introduce a booster vaccination programme for bacterial meningitis; and if he will make a statement. [185409]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonSince the meningitis C vaccine was introduced into the United Kingdom, rates of this disease have fallen by over 90 per cent.
We currently have no plans to introduce a booster dose. However, we carefully monitor rates of disease and other evidence to ensure our vaccination programme offers the most effective and safest protection.