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2 new lifesaving Meningitis
vaccination programmes to begin this summer!
2 lifesaving vaccines; including the
UK's 1st Meningitis B vaccine; will be rolled out this summer, the Department
of Health announced.
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt confirmed that England becomes the 1st Country in
the world to offer newborn babies the revolutionary new meningococcal group B
(Men B) vaccine Bexsero via a national health service, from 1 September 2015.
Furthermore, to combat the rise in Men W cases in adolescents, all 17 and
18 year olds will receive the combined Meningitis ACWY vaccine from August 2015.
Meningitis Now and its supporters, who have campaigned for
2 years to get the
ground breaking MenB vaccine free on the NHS, welcomed the announcement.
Meningitis Now chief executive, Sue Davie, said:- "We're delighted that
this milestone in the journey to introduce these vaccines and protect our babies
and young people from the devastation meningitis causes has been reached.
These measures will save thousands of lives and protect people from losing loved
ones to the deadly disease."
The national charity's award winning Beat it Now! campaign has relentlessly
pushed for Bexsero to be free to all babies via the childhood immunisation
programme.
Sue added:- "It's a tribute to our supporters' selfless and tireless
efforts that we have now reached this stage. However, we shouldn't lose sight of
the fact that for many the announcement comes too late. We're here to help them
for as long as they need us."
Sue also sounded a note of caution about the announcement. "Whilst this is
good news it does not mean meningitis is beaten.
Our message is 'Don't become complacent about meningitis';
there are still strains without vaccines and there will still be people who are
not protected by these vaccine programmes. It's vital to learn the signs
and symptoms, stay vigilant and seek immediate medical help if you suspect the
disease."
Meningitis Now has vowed to continue campaigning to extend the availability of
the Men B vaccine to other at risk groups.
The infant Men B immunisation programme will begin on 1 September 2015. The vaccine
will be offered for babies starting at 2 months of age, followed by another
dose at f4 months and a booster dose at 12 months.
There will also be a limited catch up programme for infants who are due their
three and four month vaccinations in September 2015.
The Men ACWY vaccine programme will begin in August 2015, with 17 to 18 year olds
(School year 13) and older university entrants (aged 19 to 25) being offered the
vaccine.
These age groups are at the highest risk of infection because of close contact
in shared accommodation, such as university halls of residence.
The same age groups will be offered immunisation in 2016 and 2017.
These measures apply to England and Scotland only.
For more information, visit:-
MeningitisNow.Org.
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Letters to the Editor:-
"The Learning Rooms"
"WE have some exciting news to tell you
all!!! Following the break in, this year, we have picked ourselves up and moved
on from it. We would like to thank all of your readers for their support, but we
cant stop now. As we enter into our 2nd year, we are very excited to tell you
about our ongoing plans for 'The Learning Rooms' and everyone involved. As some
of you will remember, we 1st opened:- 'The Learning Rooms'
with our Mission Statement and Core Values as follows:--
Mission Statement...
► We will deliver meaningful and valuable work experience that enables our
clients to make the transition to employment in a seamless and effective way as
possible. We will offer a safe, inclusive, supported learning and working
environment that embraces and is respectful of all faiths, beliefs and
traditions of all without prejudice.
► We will provide work placements and social opportunities and transitional
provision for adults through maintaining links and liaising with similar local
organisations, in order to prepare them for the world of work allowing them the
awareness of their place in the community.
► We will promote an environment where the needs of the local community are
consistently met.
► We will work and act responsibly and honestly within current legislation and
regulations.
Core Values...
► The Learning Rooms provides a realistic working environment for people with
additional needs to gain life, work and social skills and promote and maintain
independence.
► This is achieved through a small cafe, horticulture, floristry and retail
outlet that serves the local community.
► We believe we have been true to these statements, we also promised to open a
retail outlet as a progression route for our service users and we feel now is
the right time to carry out this promise .
Now, we are very excited to announce that we are taking on Four Seasons Garden
Centre and Cafe, located at 224A Liverpool Road, Birkdale, PR8 4PD, on 1 July
2015. We will open to the public August 2015. Our clients will work with staff
to continue the service this existing business provides to the local community
and loyal customers and we also hope to pick more custom up along the way as
people hear of the good work we are doing there. For the month of July our staff
and clients will get to find their feet in Four Seasons and will invite friends
and family to come along and be served by them so they can practice their skills
ready to open their doors to the public in August 2015. The retail outlet
incorporates a garden centre, florists, a lovely gift shop, cafe, seating area
inside and outside, a small, enclosed, child friendly garden with small animals
and we believe this to be a real asset to the clients of
'The Learning Rooms.' Anyone who currently attends
'The Learning Rooms' can be assure that none of the activities they come
along and enjoy so much will change, they will be able to access everything they
currently take part in. 'Four Seasons' is an extension of what they already do
and is an essential step in their progression and development. So please contact
us via
email, for further information or feel free to
come and have a visit and look around at our joint Open Day and 2nd Birthday
Celebration on Sunday, 26 July 2015." With regards, Ruth Wareing, The
Learning
Rooms. |
