Frank Field – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Frank Field on 2016-02-19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proportion of children in England received the meningitis B vaccine in 2015-16; and what steps he is taking to maximise take-up rates.

Jane Ellison

Meningitis B (MenB) immunisation for infants was introduced on 1 September 2015 on the basis of expert advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, the independent body which advises Government on all immunisation matters. The vaccine is offered alongside other routine immunisations at two and four months of age, with a booster dose at 12-13 months. A limited one-off catch-up programme was also offered, targeting infants born in May and June 2015.

Preliminary vaccine coverage for children born in July 2015 was 94.0% for one dose and 84.8% for two doses when measured at six months of age.

The introduction of MenB immunisation has been supported by a comprehensive media and communications campaign in partnership with health partners and meningitis charities. This resulted in significant coverage across national, local, parenting and social media. New patient information leaflets and posters have also supported the campaign, and comprehensive guidance has been added to the NHS Choices website. Existing children’s immunisation information booklets and leaflets have been amended to reflect the new immunisation schedule. A training factsheet and video for health professionals have also been produced.