January 22, 2013

expert reaction to the EU approval of the first meningitis B vaccine

A new meningitis B vaccine called Bexsero has been licensed by the European Commission, meaning the vaccine should soon be available for use in the UK.

Professor Adam Finn, Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Bristol Medical School, said:

“Over the last 20 years we have been steadily getting rid of bacterial meningitis through the introduction of vaccines against different strains. This new vaccine is the first one expected to prevent cases of meningococcus B which is now the main cause. It’s been a big challenge for the researchers and manufacturers to come up with this vaccine and it’s very rewarding to see it become available. This is not the end of the fight against meningitis, but it’s an extremely important next step.”