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Meningococcal group C conjugate vaccine
More than half of all the deaths due to meningococcal disease
are caused by type C. However, within months of a new vaccine
being introduced late in 1999, the number of new cases in
the UK fell by 75 per cent in both infants and teenagers2.
- In 15 to17 year-olds, 70 cases would have been expected
during the winter months. Only 16 cases were reported.
- Among babies under a year old, 37 cases would have been
expected. Only 10 were reported.
Overall, it was estimated that about 13 deaths had been prevented
between December 1999 and the middle of March 2000. By the
end of March 2000, the Department of Health estimated that
95 per cent of teenagers, and even more babies, had been vaccinated.
Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine against tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) is the single most important cause of death
due to an infectious disease in the world. It is still a major
problem in developing countries, but cases have also increased
by approximately one-third in Western countries. There is
an alarming increase in TB in individuals with HIV infection,
and multi-drug resistant strains of the bacterium responsible
for TB are appearing throughout the world.
In recent years, about 25 deaths a year have been attributed
to TB in England and Wales. Since its introduction in 1953,
the BCG vaccine has provided up to 80 per cent protection,
lasting up to 15 years after vaccination in childhood. About
70 per cent of children up to the age of 14 are vaccinated
each year.
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