Meningicoccal vaccine on the way

A vaccine to combat one of New Zealand's worst ills could be on its way - the Health Ministry has signed a contract with a Californian company to develop a vaccine for a strain of meningicoccal disease that has reached epidemic levels.

It is the first deal of its kind signed in New Zealand, but clinical trials will have to meet international guidelines.

That means it could be some time before a vaccine is available, says project manager Dr Jane O'Halloran.

"We've been working with international vaccination companies and the world health organisation in order to get into position of getting vaccine into development for our epidemic," she says.

The Californian biotech company Chiron Corporation is developing the vaccine, which will be clinically tested through Auckland University.

The Norwegian Institute of Public Health - which developed a vaccine to combat a strain of group B meningicoccal disease last decade - is also involved.

Although both New Zealand and Norwegian strains are typed as group B, the Ministry of Health says subtle differences mean a unique vaccine must be tailor-made for each strain.

New Zealand has used vaccines in the past to effectively battle smaller epidemics of strains A and C.

The B strain has been epidemic now for eleven years.

Cases of meningicoccal disease have peaked at almost 300 so far this year, resulting in 15 deaths.

The social cost is estimated at $75 million a year - the human cost is immeasurable, says Richard Headley of the Meningitis Trust.

"Many of the survivors end up with devastating effects, such as an amputation or blindness and so on. So many families really suffer for a long time as a result of this disease," he says.

Vaccine trials could take years, so in the meantime watching for warning signs is the best defence.

If children are sick and running a high fever, they should be taken to a doctor. If they have a fever accompanied by a rash like small bruises on the skin, urgent medical attention is needed.

ONE News sourced from TVNZ, RNZ, Reuters and