Meningitis vaccine to be given free of charge, health minister says

A vaccine against meningitis (Pneumococcal Conjugate) will be given to all children free of charge, health minister Chris Fearne has said.

In response to a parliamentary question submitted by Partit Demokratiku leader Godfrey Farrugia, Fearne confirmed that the measure was being taken to increase prevention against the disease.

The news comes after two separate cases of meningitis were reported last week, a four-year-old boy who unfortunately died of the illness, and a newborn baby who is recovering after being given a round of antibiotics.

A third case was reported on Monday of an eight-month-old baby suffering from septicaemia. However, it was confirmed on Wednesday that the girl had succumbed to the illness and died.

The Health Department said that the three cases were unrelated, assuring the public that there was no outbreak of meningitis.