In the past six months there has been a drop of 90 per cent in cases in children aged under one year and in 15- to 17-year-olds, who were the first to be immunised. Across all age groups there has been a 75 per cent reduction in meningitis C. It is estimated that 500 cases of Group C meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia, and 50 deaths, have been avoided since the start of the programme in November 1999.
Public Health Minister Yvette Cooper siad the success of teh programme showed "the Government was right to bring this vaccine in as rapidly as possible and vaccinate so many children'.
Philip Kirby, chief executive of the Meningitis Trust, said, 'We continue to urge people to be vigilant to the signs and symptoms of meningitis, as cases of the B strain are still rising and there is no vaccine available yet.
