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The UK’s childhood immunisation scheme has brought in a vaccine which will cover six more strains of pneumococcal bacteria but parents are being urged not to wait to get their children vaccinated.
A total of 13 strains of the disease, which can cause pneumonia, meningitis and blood infections, will be covered by Wyeth’s Prevanar 13 when the programme is rolled out in spring.
Children will still receive three doses of the vaccine as scheduled at two, four and 13 months.
The Department of Health (DoH) said parents whose children are due to have the current vaccine, which protects against seven strains of the bacteria, should not to wait to get their children immunised.
Professor David Salisbury, director of immunisation at the DoH, said: “Every day counts when it comes to protecting children against these diseases.”
Copyright Press Association 2010
