Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey, said that the vaccine will offer protection against diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis and blood infections. It will protect against 13 different types of pneumococcal bacteria, whereas the existing version of the vaccine currently protects against seven strains.
The new vaccine will now be introduced into the routine Childhood Immunisation Programme and will be phased in to replace the current vaccine.
Welcoming the announcement, Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said: “This vaccine will provide greater protection to all our children. It marks yet another improvement to our world class Childhood Immunisation Programme which has saved the lives of many thousands of children. It will follow exactly the same three dose schedule that is used at present: one vaccination at two, four and 15 months old. Parents of infants who are due to be vaccinated should not delay.
“The new vaccine will ensure that young people throughout Northern Ireland are offered even greater protection against a very serious, vaccine-preventable disease.”
Notes to editors:
1. The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine was first introduced into the routine childhood vaccination programme in 2006.
2. This announcement is in line with similar changes being announced in England, Scotland and Wales.
3. This change only affects the childhood immunisation programme. The adult pneumococcal vaccine, Pneumovax, will continue to be administered as usual.
4. The move to introduce the new vaccine follows a procurement process, following strict EU rules, which was completed in January and resulted in the contract being offered to Wyeth for their pneumococcal vaccine ‘Prevenar 13’.
5. For further information contact the DHSSPS press office on 028 9052 0074. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.
