GPs face re-vaccinating 9000 babies

General practitioners are preparing for a massive logistical exercise as they now have to give about 9000 babies a fourth meningococcal B immunisation shot.

The Ministry of Health yesterday announced babies who had received their third dose of the vaccine before they were five-months-old would now need a fourth.

That followed two babies who had had all three doses needing hospital treatment last year after contracting the disease.

Nikki Turner, director of the immunisation advisory centre at Auckland University and a spokeswoman for the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners, said the announcement yesterday was actually a sign the vaccination programme was going well.

Dr Turner acknowledged it would be difficult slotting in another round of shot appointments for babies.

"We're all pretty tired -- it was hard work. I think the thing that keeps us all going is the fact that we've got such good evidence now that it's looking like it's working well."

The appointments would be staggered and she asked parents to be patient as doctors and clinics worked to recall babies for their shot.

The exercise would not be nearly as big as the original three shot round for under-fives and it would be free for parents.

She said the disease rate appeared to be dropping and parents should still have faith in the programme.

The three vaccinations would already have substantially protected most children and a fourth dose would give longer-lasting protection.

Dr Turner said yesterday's announcement was not unexpected.

"All of us have known that this was likely to be necessary because a baby's immune system response to this vaccine is not as strong as an older child's."

A fourth shot was better than a baby catching meningococcal B.

"You can take the risk or you can give the best protection we've got to offer today."

The Ministry of Health yesterday came under fire from National Party health spokesman Tony Ryall, who said the decision should have been made public earlier.

"There's been a lot of reported criticism of this programme, which is why openness is so important," Mr Ryall said.

"It's time to put all the facts on the table, so that mothers and fathers can make sound choices and ensure their kids are fully protected," Mr Ryall said.

Last year, 222 people contracted meningitis and 14 died.

That compared with an average of 490 cases per year in the past five years.

- NZPA