Changes are also being made to the schedule for administering the Meningitis C vaccine and the seasonal flu programme is being extend to include all children aged two to 17 years.

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Extending the vaccination programme is expected to lead to a similar dramatic decrease in cases of group C meningitis and septicaemia in 20 to 24 year olds.

BBC: Syringe

There are only approximately 30 to 50 cases of W135 each year in the UK, and while immunisation for the A and C strains of meningitis is an entry requirement for Saudi Arabia, the vaccine does not protect against this type.

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