Question reference: S4W-30301
- Asked by: Mary Scanlon, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 3 March 2016
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Current status: Answered by Maureen Watt on 17 March 2016
Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it is protecting children from meningitis B.
Answer
The Scottish Government is committed to protecting children against meningitis B (men B) which is why Scotland is one of the first countries in the world to have introduced a national men B vaccination programme to tackle the effects of this disease.
Since 1 September 2015 infants have been offered the men B vaccine at two, four and 12 months of age as part of the routine childhood vaccination programme. There was also a catch-up for infants aged three and four months who were attending for their routine vaccination appointments when the programme started. All infants who are now aged up to 10 months should have been offered the men B vaccine.
Vaccinating infants with men B will also provide protection for older children, adolescents and the wider population as it will help to reduce the overall prevalence and transmission of the disease (also known as herd protection).