Govt under pressure to provide meningitis booster vaccine
The Government is coming under increasing pressure to provide a meningitis booster vaccine following the death of a baby boy who had been immunised against the disease.
The child, who is believed to be under the age of five, had apparently contracted a form of meningitis caused by the bacterium haemophilus influenzae, also known as Hib.
Earlier this year, experts warned the Department of Health that a booster vaccine would be needed as some vaccinated children were developing the infection.
At present, children receive the vaccine at two, four and six months, but the vaccines are not always effective for the entire risk period up to five years of age.
Fine Gael TD Liam Twomey is calling on the Government to immediately provide a booster to all children between the aged of two and four.
"There should be no delays," he said.
