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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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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

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News Shorts
Lords Committee opens Pet Parasite Medication inquiry

The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee will launch its inquiry into Pet Parasite Medication (PPM) on Wednesday (3 June).

Focusing on treatments containing fipronil and imidacloprid, the inquiry will seek to understand distribution pathways and the impacts of PPM use and non-use on biodiversity and human health. It will also cover current regulation, monitoring, and the potential implications for pets and their owners.

The committee will hear evidence from environmental non-governmental organisations and research institutes. The public can follow the proceedings live on Parliament TV or in person in the Palace of Westminster.