26 February 2009
Jersey’s Public Health department has confirmed that none of the batches of Meningitis C vaccine that were recently recalled in the UK have been delivered to the Island.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the UK has today (26 February 2009) issued a drug alert to recall two batches of Menjugate vaccine (batch numbers 235012A and 236011). Menjugate Kit is one of the vaccines used in the UK to protect children against meningococcal C infection. This is a precautionary action and there is no reason for UK children to be at any risk from these vaccine batches.
Head of Healthcare Programmes and specialist in immunisation, Dr Linda Diggle, says: “We are conscious that parents may be concerned following UK press coverage of this alert. In Jersey, we are certain that no Menjugate vaccine with these batch numbers has been delivered to the Island. We have liaised with the Chief Pharmacist’s team at the hospital and with local GPs to confirm that none of these batches have been given to children in Jersey.”
Meningitis C vaccination is given to protect babies, children and young people against meningococcal group C infection which can cause meningitis and/or septicaemia (blood poisoning). Following the introduction of the vaccine in 1999/2000, the number of confirmed cases of group C disease fell by 90% and the incidence of death and disability from this infection has been dramatically reduced.
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