ST HELENS & Knowsley Health Authority are celebrating the success of the new meningitis C vaccination campaign.

The vaccination programme, which began last November, has already treated all children under two years and teenagers aged 15 to 17 -- the highest risk groups for meningococcal infection. Since the case began there has been only one case of meningitis C reported, as opposed to six in the corresponding period last year.

All children under five years of age and school children aged 11 to 14 are currently being vaccinated. Nine to 10-year-olds will be offered the vaccination in the summer term and five to eight-year-olds will be vaccinated next autumn.

Consultant in communicable disease at the Health Authority, Dr Basil Wiratunga, said: "We are delighted that the campaign has shown such positive results so early. By the end of the year, everyone under the age of 18 should have been offered the vaccination, greatly reducing the number of people that will suffer from this devastating disease. All babies will now be offered the vaccine as part of their routine immunisation schedule. We hope that all parents will take up the chance to have their children protected when their invitations arrive."

Chair of the Health Authority, Nora Giubertoni, added: "We are very grateful for the support we have received from all our colleagues in the NHS and local schools. I would particularly like to thank the school nurses." All schoolchildren will be offered the vaccination through their school and parents will be contacted for their consent.

If you have any queries on the campaign, contact Dr Basil Wiratunga on 01744 457234, or Healthwise on freephone 0800 665544.