UK rejects Meningitis B vaccine on NHS

[Duplogiraffe]

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-23422973

What are your thoughts ? Is anyone going to consider it privately ? I am unsure at this point.

Bumping because I'm also considering going private but want to hear others' thoughts. Seems like the only reason it has not been approved is cost-effectiveness?

Bearing in mind the potentially devastating side effects of the disease I would consider this privately, but I can't see that it is available yet (at least in the main London clinics).

We lost our 4 y/o niece to meningococcal septicaemia. I will be getting my sons vaccinated as soon as it is available privately.

It isn't available privately yet but Novartis, who manufacture the vaccine, expect it to be available by the end of the year.

I was going to start the same thread.

I lost a friend at 17 to men B. Im so glad there is a vaccine and I want my children to have it, even if I have to go private.

I just dont under stand why the NHS rejected it :(

I started a thread here with a link to the petition you can sign supporting the Beat in Now! campaign. Meningitis Trust, Meningitis UK and Meningitis Research are campaigning together to get it established as a routine vaccination in the immunisation programme.

I gather it's been rejected as it might not be cost effective - they're not sure how long it'll last.

Can't type today! It's the Beat it Now! campaign.

Currently thought to be 73% effective but there are questions about that - large trials needed. I think I would wait a bit longer.

You can read the JCVI minutes for some explanation: 1, 2, 3

As I understand it, they are now planning to investigate whether vaccinating adolescents would stop it spreading.

Hello everyone.
I've got a thread on the Campaigns list about this, as my daughter had meningitis age 2 last year and we are so so lucky that she is both alive and without long term effects. I support the vaccine as i would anything that will lower the risk of anyone else going through what we did, and much much worse. I'm hoping mumsnet will launch a campaign, if you would support that please do add something.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mumsnet_campaigns/a1776646-Meningitis-b-vaccine-campaign

I've just found this thread through a search, I started one the other night in chat but didn't get a response.

Ds had meningitis at7 weeks, no clear results on which strain yet as his ABs were working quickly and samples v small.
No apparent damage but waiting will last a while as he's only 5 months. I query everything though :(
I'm v keen to get all mine done privately if nhs doesn't cough up. Dd1/2 will likely be too old anyway.

Cngodltlbl, I read the jcvi minutes, they were clear to understand and explained the decision well., imo,

Notwithstanding the seriousness of the disease, I don't want my children vaccinated, not with the rate of effectiveness and the lack of studies on side effects and the unknown of long term side effects.

I have a 12 year old and I will not support the vaccinating of adolescents, especially since the figures quoted seem to say that half the cases from the year in question of the study were in those under one year old.

I think if they are going to do it, they'll have to target t age groups most likely to be affected. Targeting adolescents sound to me like another vaccine not given to those most likely to be affected by the disease(like rubella, mumps)

To be honest front doorstep, (and i mean this completely sincerely)I think if your life has remotely
Been touched by meningitis b, And ours has with my niece
Who at 7, was given a less than 1%chance of survival and did survive but at the consequence is a quadruple amputee...., no amount of research and I have done work for NICE in my time, can dissuade many that even with a 73% success rate... This is a good thing to add to childhood imms, and post 16 boosters.
The long term side effects of this disease that has ongoing consequences (and there are many, and most life changing)
And there are many and life altering... Will in the long term and the QUALY save money. And be cost effective in long term rather than short term... Knowing my nieces prosthetics cost 30-50k she is currently changing 4 monthly because of growth, and I know she us not the only one!

Sorry to rant but I think many are unable to think of the consequence and comment unless you have been affected.

Now its available privately has anyone seen a clinic yet?

No, but thinking of looking into it in the new year, at least for toddler DD2. Would be interested if anyone sees a clinic offering the jab.

Hang on -- is it available privately yet? BBC report I read said that EMA had recommended it for approval and so it was "expected to receive its UK licence early next year".

Privately from yesterday , was approved earlier this year.

Was on menigitis now FB page this morning (although heard was coming a few days ago)

They suggested asking at GP first, doubt ours will though.

Found one in Manchester. £120 each.

I work for DOCTORnow, a private GP Practice in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. We have just started offering them.

My dcs will be having this vaccination

As far as I'm concerned 73% is better than 0% especially with something as devastating as men b. we are saving up as the injection for all four dcs will be costly but in my opinion worth it.

Yes that's our problem Hedgehog 4 is going to cost over £1k plus travel etc but I can't not do it now.

I have had my children vaccinated, found a clinic that does each jab at £110. Will cost me over £600 as I have 3. I am so angry, have written to my mp. There are people who can't afford this, the inequality increases forget house prices, bet all those mps have their kids done, no need to think twice for them!

How did they get on with the jab RobotToad? I have my 3 booked in for it privately on Friday and for the first time ever I feel a little apprehensive about possible side effects because it hasn't yet been used extensively.