Ananova :

A new campaign group will raise the awareness of childhood diseases like meningitis.

Rappid is run by healthcare experts and parents of children affected by Pneumococcal diseases.

They say awareness is at a dangerously low level and hope to work with professionals and other support groups.

The group wants the government to expand its vaccination programme beyond the children seen as being at most risk.

Meningitis is the most serious form of the infection and kills 50 British children under five every year. Dozens of others are left with severe disabilities.

Brent Taylor, professor of child health at the Royal Free Hospital in London, is a member of the group's steering committee. He said: "Rappid will put pneumo disease on to the agenda, and hopefully make sure all is done to prevent it."

Rappid stands for Raising Awareness of Paediatric Pneumococcal Infection and Disease.

An information leaflet is available and copies can be obtained by calling on 0207 465 7705 or emailing info@rappid.org.uk.

Story filed: 15:08 Friday 3rd May 2002

ADD THESE SUBJECTS TO YOUR NEWS: Find out how

Meningitis
Parenthood
 

SHARE THIS NEWS:
Email this story to a friend
 

RELATED STORIES:
'Meningitis ignorance putting millions at risk'
00:20 Monday 11th March 2002

Boy, 8, ballet dances to fitness with artificial leg
16:51 Tuesday 19th February 2002

More related stories
 

CHECK FOR MORE ON:
Meningitis
Health
Parenthood
Lifestyle
UK

Catch up with the latest headlines from the UK newspapers.