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All British babies to receive Meningitis B vaccine
Injection
Meningitis B affects around 1,200 people every year.
Vaccine represents a significant breakthrough in disease prevention

An agreement has been reached between GlaxoSmithKline and the Department of Health which will mean all babies in the UK will soon be vaccinated against Meningitis B.

Starting in September, the vaccination programme is the culmination of more than 20 years of research and represents a significant breakthrough in disease prevention.

When the vaccine is launched, the UK will become the first country in the world to introduce a national Meningitis B vaccination programme.

In a statement, GlaxoSmithKline said: "GSK is delighted to have reached an agreement with the UK’s Department of Health that will enable babies in the UK to receive its meningitis B vaccine through the NHS immunisation schedule.

"We have moved rapidly to conclude negotiations since we acquired the vaccine from Novartis at the beginning of March.

"We believe the agreement we have reached offers fair value for the NHS and allows a reasonable return for GSK to ensure that we can continue to invest in creating new treatments and vaccines.

Meningitis B affects around 1,200 people, mainly babies and children, each year in the UK, with around one in every ten dying from the infection. Many of those who survive suffer terrible permanent disability such as limb loss, brain damage and epilepsy.


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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.