Intended for healthcare professionals

Rapid response to:

Editorials

Introducing a new group B meningococcus vaccine

BMJ 2014; 348 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.g2415 (Published 02 April 2014) Cite this as: BMJ 2014;348:g2415

Rapid Response:

Re: Introducing a new group B meningococcus vaccine

Meningitis Research Foundation was concerned to read Isaacs and McVernon’s editorial which strongly implies the JCVI decision-making process for the meningococcal B vaccine was distorted by political and public pressure. Their suggestion that the final decision of the JCVI was arrived at only “after an outcry” is highly misleading.

It was very clear that the interim statement from the JCVI published in July 2013 was exactly what its name suggests, an interim opinion. The JCVI actively invited consultation on this at the time.

As a stakeholder in the process since the JCVI’s initial call for evidence in 2010, Meningitis Research Foundation was pleased to have the opportunity to respond to this consultation and submit new information not previously taken into account. This included, inter alia, the high NHS costs of litigation as a result of medical negligence claims and information about quality of life impact of the illness on family. We were encouraged that other new information was also considered in subsequent cost effectiveness calculations.

It is the mark of a fair and just process that decisions are adapted and refined as new evidence becomes available. It would be completely unacceptable if a scientific body like the JCVI were to open a consultation, call for submissions and then ignore good quality new information as it came to light. Quite rightly they did not do so. Pejorative references to “u-turns” in this context are quite misplaced.

The procurement of the new meningococcal B vaccine for the infant immunisation schedule still has to be completed at a cost-effective price. Nobody can be in any doubt this will mean a very tough negotiation process, but we urge the vaccine manufacturer and the Government to conclude this as quickly as possible to avoid any unnecessary delay in providing the protection the vaccine affords to children in the future.

Competing interests: Meningitis Research Foundation is a medical research charity and patient group representing approximately 16,000 members affected by meningitis and septicaemia. The charity has received occasional grants from several vaccine manufacturers, including Novartis, Pfizer, Baxter and GSK for educational activities such as its international conference. LG and CW have received consultancy fees from pharmaceutical companies including Novartis and Pfizer which have been donated to the charity.

14 April 2014
Christopher Head
Chief Executive
Linda Glennie, Claire Wright
Meningitis Research Foundation
Midland Way, Thornbury, Bristol BS35 2BS