Immunisations: men C

The UK was the first country to introduce the meningitis C conjugate (Men C) vaccine. Since 1999, the Men C vaccine has been part of the routine childhood immunisation programme and uptake levels have been close to 90%. The programme, targeted at under-20 year olds, has been a huge success, with a 90% reduction in cases in that age group. In 2002 the programme was extended to 20-24 year olds.

At a Scotland level, current quarterly uptakes at 12 and 24 months for Men C stand at 96.4% and 97.5% respectively.

Direct links to the relevant tables and charts, on the Child Health section of the ISD website, are provided below:

• Childhood immunisation uptake rates for Men C: up to 31st December 2006 for Scotland and by Health Board
• Time trends for Scotland and NHS Board
• Childhood immunisation quarterly uptake rates and uptake rates by calendar year (January to December 2006) by Community Health Partnership
• Meningitis C campaign statistics

Information on the incidence of Meningococcal diseaseis available from the HPS website.