HEALTH chiefs in Bury have welcomed the new five-in-one jab for children.
A single vaccine is to be introduced to protect children against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, Hib, an infection that lead to meningitis, and polio.
Dr Peter Elton, director of public health for Bury Primary Care Trust (PCT), said the new vaccine would eliminate the risk associated with the oral polio vaccine which is presently given to children.
"The five-in-one vaccine is excellent news. We always knew there was a tiny risk with the full polio vaccine, but now we are giving it in an inactivated form with the other immunisations, children will no longer be exposed to this risk," he said.
Professor Qutub Syed, director of the Health Protection Agency North, added: "The vaccines we use at present are extremely effective. The new vaccine will be even better. It has been used in Canada with great success over a number of years and it is only right that children in this country should have the same benefits and protection as their Commonwealth cousins."
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