FORTY children and eight staff at a Ramsbottom nursery hit by an outbreak of meningitis have now been vaccinated.

Staff and toddlers at the Ladybird Nursery were given an emergency dose of antibiotics last week after health bosses confirmed that two children at the playgroup on Buchanan Street had contracted the deadly illness within days of each other.

Letters were sent out inviting staff and children to attend a vaccination clinic on Monday (Aug 2).

The two children - believed to be two four-year-old girls - are recovering after being struck down with the meningococcal form of the condition - the most dangerous strain.

A spokesman for Bury and Rochdale Health Authority said: "The two cases are both confirmed as having the Group C strain of the disease.

"Close contacts require the vaccination because they have an increased risk of developing the disease in the coming months. Vaccine is used in addition to the antibiotics they have already received for extra protection."

Dr Sheila Will, consultant in public health medicine stressed that other people including families of those being vaccinated are not at any increased risk and do not require any medical attention.

Mrs Anne Rees-Williams, a partner in the nursery, echoed Dr Will's reassurances and said parents were being informed and there was no need for anyone to panic.

Health bosses have, however, advised all parents to be aware of the signs and symptoms of the illness. They are vomiting, high temperature, headaches, stiff neck, dislike of bright lights, drowsiness, painful joints, fits and a skin rash which does not go white when pressure is applied.

"The vaccination only protects children for up to three years. Later this year there will be a vaccine available that will give long term protection. It is important therefore that parents should have their children vaccinated again when they are called for the national immunisation campaign later in the year," concluded Dr Will.

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