Two of Ireland's leading meningitis charities have called for a vaccine that can prevent meningitis, pneumonia and septicaemia to be introduced as part of the routine childhood immunisation.
The Meningitis Research Foundation and the Meningitis Trust say that, according to research, up to 132 lives could be saved annually in Ireland if routine vaccination against Invasive Pneumococcal Disease (IPD) was introduced.
Eighty-two cases of pneumococcal meningitis, one of the diseases caused by IPD were reported in children under 18 between 1999 and 2005.
The two charities held a meeting in Dublin today to call for the vaccine to be put onto Ireland's routine immunisation schedule.
Currently, only children deemed "at risk" are immunised against pneumococcal disease.
The National Immunisation Advisory Committee has been considering whether to introduce the vaccine since 2001 but has yet to make a decision.
Already this year a number of European countries have announced plans to introduce such a vaccine including Britain, Germany, The Netherlands and Norway.
Leading international expert Dr. Monica Farley, Professor of Medicine at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, outlined the experience in the United States since a routine vaccination was introduced six years ago.
"For the past six years the United States has been routinely vaccinating all infants under two years of age against the seven types of pneumococcal bacteria most commonly associated with infection in children," Dr Farley said
"The incidence of serious invasive infections in children under the age of five decreased by 94 per cent by the end of 2003 (compared to rates in 1998-9)."
Linda Glennie, Head of Research & Medical Information with the Meningitis Research Foundation, called on the Government to set out a clear timetable for the introduction of a routine conjugate pneumococcal vaccine.
"Pneumococcal meningitis, the second-most common type of bacterial meningitis in Ireland, is more deadly and disabling than other forms," said Ms Glennie. "An effective vaccine has been available for five years, and many other European countries now use it."
A website, www.meningitiscampaign.ie, has been set up allowing people to send an e-card to the Minister for Health and Children.