BABIES in Swindon will benefit from a vaccine against meningitis B being provided on the NHS, after a landmark deal.

On Sunday Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced delivery of the vaccinations, called Bexsero, was expected to begin in September.

The programme will see three jabs given to babies at the two months, four months and when they are one.

Currently, the jabs cost about £450 a child.

This news comes after a year of campaigning and negotiations with the vaccination’s previous owner, Novartis, before the vaccine was bought by pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline.

Mr Hunt said: “We can go ahead this year with rolling out the meningitis B vaccine and that’s something families, particularly those with young children, will really welcome.”

It is estimated it will cost £16m a year to roll out the programme.

Swindon councillor Brian Mattock, (Con, Old Town) the cabinet member for health and adult social care, said that he was delighted with the Government announcement.

“I’m delighted to see that the meningitis vaccination will be rolled out in Swindon in the coming months,” he said.

“This will give reassurance to parents.”

Campaigners warned delays in offering the vaccine on the NHS have put children’s lives at risk.

Sue Davie, the chief executive of the Meningitis Now charity, which has fought to for the NHS to supply the vaccine, said: “To know that babies will be protected against meningitis B is fantastic and another great step forward in our fight against meningitis.

“Families for whom this comes too late, and for whom we will always be here to support, have campaigned tirelessly and selflessly with us to make sure no other families suffer as they have.”

Meningitis Now founder Steve Dayman MBE, who launched the UK’s meningitis movement after losing his baby son Spencer to meningitis B in 1982, said: “I’m absolutely elated with the news – I’ve waited 33 years since losing my baby to the same strain to hear this phenomenal, watershed news.

“So many lives and much misery will be spared.” 

And Meningitis Research Foundation chief executive Chris Head said: “Meningitis B has been at the top of this charity’s agenda for decades.

“And we are delighted that vaccinating all babies against this devastating disease is now within sight, cementing the UK’s position as a world leader in meningitis prevention.

“When this vaccine is introduced it will save lives and spare countless families the trauma of seeing a loved one die or become seriously disabled because of meningitis B.

“At this time, we pay tribute to all those who have been personally affected by this disease and to all the scientists and health professionals involved in the creation of the vaccine.”