DOCTORS hoping to beat a potentially deadly strain of meningitis are urging teenagers to make sure they have been vaccinated.

A drive to immunise against meningitis C and finally eradicate the disease has led to a dramatic fall in the number of cases among young people, who are the most vulnerable to the disease.

Following a 12-month vaccination programme for under 17-year-olds at schools and colleges across the borough, 84 percent of those eligible have been vaccinated. The vaccine appears to have been successful, with only 10 cases occurring in Bury last year, compared with 23 in 1999.

But among Bury's 15 to 17-year-olds, many of whom may have left full-time education, the coverage rate is at its lowest with only 70 percent having had the jab.

Bury and Rochdale Health Authority public health consultant Dr Leroy Benons said: "It is important that teenagers, especially those aged 15 to 17 years who have not been vaccinated at school or college contact their GP and arrange to be vaccinated.

"We also need to get the message across that meningococcal C is a very effective vaccine but it does not protect against all types of the disease and as a result patients and students need to maintain their vigilance."