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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| UK experts back meningitis B jab | UK experts back meningitis B jab |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A vaccine that protects against a deadly form of meningitis is set to be introduced in the UK. | A vaccine that protects against a deadly form of meningitis is set to be introduced in the UK. |
| The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which has recommended the move to the government, had said last year that the jab was not cost-effective. | The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which has recommended the move to the government, had said last year that the jab was not cost-effective. |
| Meningitis charities said more data had led to today's decision, and it was a "wonderful outcome". | |
| About 1,870 people contract meningitis B each year and one in 10 dies. | About 1,870 people contract meningitis B each year and one in 10 dies. |
| Babies under one year are most at risk of meningitis B, and the cases peak at around five or six months of age. | Babies under one year are most at risk of meningitis B, and the cases peak at around five or six months of age. |
| The bacterial infection causes inflammations of the brain and spinal cord. | The bacterial infection causes inflammations of the brain and spinal cord. |
| It leaves one in four with life-altering effects, such as brain damage or limb loss. | It leaves one in four with life-altering effects, such as brain damage or limb loss. |
| The JCVI said the vaccine was effective in preventing meningitis B and should be rolled out subject to it being made available by the manufacturer "at a cost effective price". | The JCVI said the vaccine was effective in preventing meningitis B and should be rolled out subject to it being made available by the manufacturer "at a cost effective price". |
| It has recommended the jab be added to the existing immunisation schedule, starting at two months of age. | It has recommended the jab be added to the existing immunisation schedule, starting at two months of age. |
| Around 700,000 infants will be eligible for vaccination each year. | Around 700,000 infants will be eligible for vaccination each year. |
| 'First in the world' | 'First in the world' |
| There are vaccines against other forms of meningitis but the Bexsero jab, developed by Novartis, is the only one thought to protect against meningitis B. | There are vaccines against other forms of meningitis but the Bexsero jab, developed by Novartis, is the only one thought to protect against meningitis B. |
| Tests have suggested the vaccine is effective against 73% of the different strains of the disease. It was licensed for use in Europe in January 2013. | Tests have suggested the vaccine is effective against 73% of the different strains of the disease. It was licensed for use in Europe in January 2013. |
| The JCVI considered the introduction of the meningitis B vaccine last summer but in an interim judgement, it ruled it would not be cost-effective to introduce it. | |
| At the time, campaigners called the decision a "severe blow" and urged the committee to look at the issue again. | At the time, campaigners called the decision a "severe blow" and urged the committee to look at the issue again. |
| More evidence has since been submitted, and the government will now begin negotiations with Novartis over the cost of the vaccine. | More evidence has since been submitted, and the government will now begin negotiations with Novartis over the cost of the vaccine. |
| Prof Andrew Pollard, chairman of the JCVI and professor of paediatric infection and immunity at the University of Oxford said: "MenB disproportionately affects babies and young children and can be devastating. | Prof Andrew Pollard, chairman of the JCVI and professor of paediatric infection and immunity at the University of Oxford said: "MenB disproportionately affects babies and young children and can be devastating. |
| 'Complex and brave decision' | 'Complex and brave decision' |
| "After very careful consideration, JCVI concluded that use of the new vaccine would reduce cases of meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia and lead to a reduction in deaths, limb amputations and brain injury caused by the disease. | "After very careful consideration, JCVI concluded that use of the new vaccine would reduce cases of meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia and lead to a reduction in deaths, limb amputations and brain injury caused by the disease. |
| "Today the JCVI published its recommendation to the UK health departments that if the new vaccine can be purchased at a low price and is therefore cost effective for the NHS, it should be used in the routine immunisation programme for babies in the UK to prevent disease. | "Today the JCVI published its recommendation to the UK health departments that if the new vaccine can be purchased at a low price and is therefore cost effective for the NHS, it should be used in the routine immunisation programme for babies in the UK to prevent disease. |
| "Routine use of the MenB vaccine is expected to make an important contribution to the health of our population." | "Routine use of the MenB vaccine is expected to make an important contribution to the health of our population." |
| The deputy chief medical officer, Prof John Watson, said: "We will now be working closely with Novartis in the coming months and if negotiations are successful, we hope to work with the other UK health departments to introduce a vaccine to prevent MenB as quickly as possible. | The deputy chief medical officer, Prof John Watson, said: "We will now be working closely with Novartis in the coming months and if negotiations are successful, we hope to work with the other UK health departments to introduce a vaccine to prevent MenB as quickly as possible. |
| "This would make the UK the first country in the world to implement a nationwide vaccination programme." | "This would make the UK the first country in the world to implement a nationwide vaccination programme." |
| Adam Finn, a vaccine expert and professor of paediatrics at the University of Bristol, said: "This was a complex, difficult and brave decision with far reaching consequences not only for the control of meningococcal disease but also for future vaccine development against severe but rare infections." | Adam Finn, a vaccine expert and professor of paediatrics at the University of Bristol, said: "This was a complex, difficult and brave decision with far reaching consequences not only for the control of meningococcal disease but also for future vaccine development against severe but rare infections." |
| Christopher Head, chief executive of Meningitis Research Foundation said: "We are delighted that the JCVI have recommended vaccinating all babies against this most feared and deadly disease. | Christopher Head, chief executive of Meningitis Research Foundation said: "We are delighted that the JCVI have recommended vaccinating all babies against this most feared and deadly disease. |
| "It's a wonderful outcome which will save lives and spare countless families the trauma of seeing a loved one seriously disabled by the devastating after effects of MenB." | "It's a wonderful outcome which will save lives and spare countless families the trauma of seeing a loved one seriously disabled by the devastating after effects of MenB." |