Ministerial answer on the new meningitis B vaccine

In a recent written question, Meg asked the Health Minister, Anna Soubry MP, about the introduction of the new meningitis B vaccine into the childhood immunisation schedule. The Minister's full response is below:

"The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is currently evaluating possible meningococcal B vaccination strategies. The evaluation is anticipated to be completed later this year.

Any decisions about implementing a national childhood immunisation schedule will be announced in due course once the Department has received and considered JCVI’s advice.

The Department is working with the NHS Commissioning Board and Public Health England to plan for the implementation of a potential meningococcal B immunisation programme, subject to the advice of JCVI."

Meg will continue to press the Government to introduce this new vaccine.