THE nationwide roll-out of a meningitis B vaccine has been welcomed by families in East Lancashire affected by the disease.

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt has announced all babies in the UK will soon have the potentially life-saving vaccine against meningitis B under a landmark deal.

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Mr Hunt said Britain would become the first country in the world with a nationwide meningitis B vaccination programme after the Government reached a deal with drug maker GlaxoSmithKline.

The decision followed recent controversy over the ‘Bexsero MenB’ vaccine after it emerged it was still not available to children despite being recommended by health advisers a year ago.

The drug will now be added to the national childhood immunisation scheme, meaning babies will receive the first vaccine at two months old, followed by two further doses.

Mr Hunt said: “I am very proud that we will be the first country in the world to have a nationwide MenB vaccination programme, helping to protect our children from a devastating disease.

“MenB can be severely disabling or fatal, especially in babies and young children. Losing a child is every parent’s worst nightmare so I am delighted that we have reached an agreement with GSK to supply the vaccine.”

Toni Burford from Blackburn had been campaigning for the roll-out of the vaccine since she lost her daughter, Danielle Catterall, six years ago.

Then, Blackburn College student Danielle, who was 17, died within hours of being diagnosed with meningitis B.

Mrs Burford, of Hamilton Street, Mill Hill, said: “I am very pleased that it has finally come into force.

“Obviously it is too late for my daughter and for my sons Jenson and Kirk as they are outside the age bracket.

“I think the vaccine should be available to everyone no matter how old they are so the campaign on this issue will go on in Danielle’s memory.

“Even with this vaccine it is not eradicating all forms of meningitis and the fact it has taken this long for them to get this out is a joke.

“I do not believe that they should put a price on children’s lives like this.”

Louie Jenkins had to have both his legs and his left arm amputated when he was just six months old after battling meningitis.

Now approaching four years old, his mum Julie, of Chatham Street, Colne, said she was delighted the vaccine was finally available.

She said: “It is fantastic and is something I have been petitioning for. We would never wish what happened to us on anyone else.”