An agreement between the Scottish Government and the vaccine manufacturer means the Meningitis B vaccine could be brought into use in Scotland in around six months time !
Dumfries and Galloway MP Russell Brown is calling for the quick introduction of the Meningitis B vaccine by UK and Scottish Governments, following today’s (Sunday 29 March 2015) news that a deal has finally been struck between Government and the vaccine manufacturer over the cost of the vaccine.
In March 2014 the UK and Scottish Government’s announced that the vaccine was being recommended for inclusion in the National Immunisation Programme. However, since then negotiations between Government and the producer have delayed the vaccine’s introduction.
Dumfries and Galloway MP Russell Brown has previously lobbied both Government’s over the introduction of the vaccine after being contacted by a number of constituents, including local campaigner Michael Pattie. The local MP has also been a keen backer of Meningitis Now , the UK’s largest largest charity fighting the disease, and met with the founder last year to discuss the Charity’s Beat It! Campaign, which called for the introduction of the Meningitis B vaccine.
Russell Brown said “This long overdue announcement is a real victory for all those who campaigned locally and nationally for the introduction of this vaccine. Locally in Dumfries and Galloway many people have worked so hard for this vaccine to be introduced as sadly a number of families in the region have suffered the loss of a loved one to this dreadful disease. One of our greatest responsibilities we have is ensuring that our young people have the healthiest starts to life, which is why I backed the Beat it Now! and lobbied the UK and Scottish Government. We now have an opportunity to prevent a disease which kills or maims many in the UK. Now this deal has been struck between Government and the producers we need to see the quick introduction of the vaccine and make it available to all babies on the NHS without any further delays.”
Last year Russell Brown met with Meningitis Now founder Steve Dayman MBE, who began the meningitis movement in the UK after losing his son Spencer to the disease in 1982.
Steve Dayman said “I want to thank Russell Brown for his continued support with the introduction of the vaccine and for taking time to meet people personally affected by meningitis.”
Meningitis Now launched its campaign to bring in the B vaccine in January 2013. In August 2013, the Government’s vaccine committee- the JCVI- ruled out recommending to the UK and Scottish Government that the vaccine should be available on the NHS as it was not seen as cost effective. From December 2013, it had been available privately for £75 per dose.
After this initial announcement was made by JCVI, Russell Brown backed the Meningitis Now campaign to reverse the decision, by lobbying the JCVI, the UK Government Secretary of Health Jeremy Hunt MP and the then Scottish Health Secretary Alex Neil MSP requesting that the vaccine be made readily available to all.
On 21 March 2014 the UK Government announced that the JCVI had now recommended the vaccine for inclusion in the national immunisation programme and should be readily available for all children aged 12 months, two years and four year olds, but this would be subject to price negotiations with vaccine manufacturer. Today (29 March 2015) more than a year later, the UK Government announced a deal on the cost had been done.
Meningitis Now, the UK’s largest charity fighting the disease, formed after Meningitis UK and Meningitis Trust merged in April 2013. The united charity, with around 30 years’ experience exists to save lives and rebuild futures – through research, awareness and support.
Photograph shows Russell Brown with Meningitis Now founder Steve Dayman MBE
