5. Protecting young children
On 8 February 2006, the Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, announced forthcoming changes to the Childhood Immunisation Programme to ensure the routine childhood immunisation programme was providing the best protection possible against meningococcal, pneumocococcal and Hib disease.
From 4th September 2006, the following changes recommended by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), were introduced:
- the introduction of a new vaccine to protect against pneumococcal infection;
- a pneumococcal vaccination catch-up programme fro children aged under 2;
- modification of the Men C schedule to include a 2 dose primary schedule and a booster dose in the second year of life;
- and the addition of a booster dose of Hib vaccine in the second year of life.
New vaccine for pneumococcal infection
Pneumococcal infection can cause very serious illness such as meningitis and pneumonia as well as being one of the most common bacterial causes of ear infections.
Although a vaccination programme against pneumococcal infection aimed at older people is in place, no routine vaccination for young children has been available in the UK to date.
In announcing the new changes, Sir Liam Donaldson said:
"The under 2s are a particular risk group. The new vaccine will save lives and prevent hundreds more cases of serious illness and disability in both the young and old as well as reducing the need for medical care.
"We have already seen the immense impact this programme has had in the US. Since its introduction, cases in young children caused by the strains in the vaccine have fallen by 94%, and cases in the over 65s have dropped by two thirds.”
The pneumococcal vaccination catch-up programme
A pneumococcal vaccination catch-up programme was introduced to ensure that children up to two years of age, who are at most risk from pneumococcal infection, will also be offered the vaccine.
Amendments to the MenC vaccination schedule
Three doses of MenC conjugate vaccine were previously given to children at two, three and four months of age.
However, following studies showing that protection against meningococcal group C waned during the second year of life, a booster dose (combined with Hib as Hib/MenC) was introduced at 12 months of age.
This booster is needed to ensure longer term protection through early childhood.
Booster dose of Hib vaccine
Hib vaccine was previously given to children at two, three and four months of age. In 2003, a Hib booster campaign was introduced, where a booster dose of Hib was given to older children to reinforce the immunity acquired by primary immunisation.
Following this campaign cases have begun to return to the low levels achieved previously.
As protection against Hib disease through vaccination has been shown to wane during the second year of life, a booster dose (combined with MenC as Hib/MenC) at 12 months of age was introduced in Sept 2006.
The addition of this dose, will ensure that children will be protected through their early childhood.
