A VACCINATION is almost ready to wipe out some of the most deadly forms of meningitis. It would eliminate almost half the cases of meningococcal septicaemia - which can kill in hours. Dr Robert Aston, Bolton's consultant in communicable diseases, has revealed that the jab everyone has been waiting for will be available in the next five years.

Dr Aston is a nationally-recognised expert on immunisation and a member of an advisory committee to the Department of Health.

There are three strains of meningococcal septicaemia: A, B and C.

The vaccination would fight the A and C strain. The A variety is rare in this country, but the C strain accounts for around 40pc of cases.

It would be available to all the population and would be a major breakthrough in fighting the killer illness.

The BEN revealed yesterday that cases in Bolton increased almost four fold in 1997.

And this year, the BEN has already reported eight cases of people who have been struck down by the disease.

The illness develops at a frightening speed with patients often deteriorating from being perfectly well to seriously ill in hours.

Dr Aston said: "This is marvellous news.

"The vaccination is not far off. It will not wipe out meningococcal septicaemia completely, but it will be effective in many cases."

There are currently vaccinations which are given when a case has been reported at a highly-populated place such as a college or factory.

But it is unsuitable for very young children and it is not effective for the whole population.

The new jab is expected to be suitable for everyone.

It would be the second major step forward in tackling the deadly disease.

Cases of the Hib strain have fallen dramatically since 1992 when routine vaccination for children began. How Top 10 town gets the needle BOLTON'S parents are among the best in the country for allowing their children to immunised.

The town is regularly in the Top 10 of around 200 boroughs in England and Wales for taking their youngsters to have the potentially life-saving jabs.

The result has been that no definite cases of measles and mumps have been identified in the last few years

Cases of rash-like illnesses thought to be measles or mumps have been notified to health chiefs, but tests have shown them not to be the condition.

There have only been five cases of rubella and these were among people who had not been vaccinated.

Cases of the Hib strain of meningitis have also dropped dramatically since a vaccination programme of babies and young children began in 1992.

Whooping cough cases have also fallen, although moves are underway to introduce an adult vaccination programme in a bid to eliminate it completely.

Smallpox has been eliminated worldwide and polio is virtually unheard of in the Western World.

Dr Robert Aston, Bolton's consultant in communicable diseases, said: "Bolton does have a very good record.

"When you think that some of the top areas are places like the Isle of Wight and Norwich, we have done an excellent job in Bolton when you consider it is an urban area with a more mixed population."

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