Question re: vaccination for pneumococcal meningitis

[pacinofan]

I have a toddler and a newborn and would like to know:

• Will newborn and toddler be given the new vaccine for pneumococcal meningitis?

• In my latest vaccination leaflet given to me by the health visitor, it talks about the MenC vaccine to protect against meningococcal group C. Is this the same as pneumococcal meningitis?

• If the Prevenar vaccine is not available on the NHS, does anyone have any experience of how to get hold of it privately?

Have been chasing this with two health visitors since February, don't seem able to get any answers.

Thanks in advance,

I asked my GP about this for my two (toodler and baby too). he said that it will happen next year but to just keep asking - though they will notify us when they start the programme.

Not sure about private though.

Meningitis C is different to the pneumococcal vaccine - both mine had the Meningitis C several years ago but not Prevenar.

My ds has had the prevenar vaccine. It took some chasing, but he had it through the NHS as he is in a high risk category. I could have had it privately as well at the same place he had his seperate MMR jabs.

I can't remember how I came across our private clinic, it was almost 4 years ago now, but I think I heard about him on the radio. It may be an idea to ask around friends, neighbours with small children.

I also know there is a website with info on private clinics, but not sure of the address.

they will be introducing the prevenar jab in to the jabs routine in the summer, i think they will be doing catch up jabs for babies that dont get it now.

My DD is 2 and she has had prevenar as her cousin died at 19 month from pneumococcal meningitis. We saw our Gp who was sympathetic and ordered it for us, it was £55 per jab though, and she had 2.

Obviously, in my opinion its a small price to pay. I would definately try and get it for your toddler too if you can.

There are a few private clinics that do Prevenar, Choice Healthcare is one, based in Croydon but have outreach clinics.

Interestingly Choice recommend 2 doses for 12-23 months, but the NHS in their catch up campaign will only be giving one dose for this age group.

my surgery is giving it(prevenar) now
dd due in a couple of months along with mmr