New jab for `deadly` meningitis could save thousands of lives

London: A vaccine against a deadly form of meningitis has been approved for use in the UK.

The European Commission gave manufacturers Novartis the green light to sell Bexsero, the first vaccine for meningitis B, after looking into its safety and effectiveness, the Mirror reported. Meningitis B kills one in 10 and another one in four will suffer permanent disability, such as brain damage or limb loss. Charity Meningitis UK has now called for the vaccine to be quickly introduced on the NHS. Founder Steve Dayman said it was the biggest advance against meningitis since he lost his son to the disease 30 years ago and it will save thousands of lives and spare families so much suffering. Department of Health vaccination experts will meet later this year to consider whether it should be included in the routine jabs already given to babies and young children. ANI