HSE to roll out new meningitis vaccine

Over 65,000 children are to be inoculated against meningitis and hepatitis B with new vaccines next year as part of the Health…

Over 65,000 children are to be inoculated against meningitis and hepatitis B with new vaccines next year as part of the Health Service Executive's Childhood Immunisation Programme.

The HSE said today the children will receive three doses of the vaccines from next autumn.

A phased catch-up campaign for the meningitis vaccine for more than 110,000 children will also be implemented.

The HSE said it will be investing €24 million in the roll out which will include vaccine procurement, development of training and information materials, a media campaign, GP fee negotiations and changes to ICT systems.