9. Group B meningococcal infection
In 2000/2001, levels of meningococcal B disease reached the highest ever on record with 1686 cases reported in England . The greatest burden of group B disease is in children under five years of age, and so the development of an effective group B vaccine for use in infants is a major priority.
Group B disease now accounts for around 80 per cent of laboratory confirmed meningococcal cases in the UK. There is currently no vaccine against group B disease. Work to find a vaccine against group B is much more difficult than for group C infection.
The Department of Health funds group B vaccine dedicated work at the Health Protection Agency in Wiltshire, UK. The development of a safe, effective vaccine for all age groups remains the best long-term option for dealing with this devastating disease.
