Number of vaccinated children have developed meningitis
20/09/2005 - 08:00:13A number of Irish children have reportedly contracted a bacterial strain of meningitis despite being vaccinated against the illness.
Reports this morning said at least three children under the age of four had been hospitalised with haemophilus meningitis this year, while a number of other children had suffered brain damage as a result of the disease in the past number of years.
The reports said children are vaccinated against haemophilus meningitis at the age of two, four and six months as part of Ireland's national vaccination programme.
The fact that some have still contracted the illness has sparked concerns that the vaccine does not remain effective for the main risk period, which lasts until the age of five.
