Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt ( above ) said Britain would become the first country in the world with a nationwide meningitis B vaccination programme after the Government reached a deal with drug maker GlaxoSmithKline . All babies will be offered an injection against deadly meningitis B – ending a year-long delay , the Health Secretary said yesterday . The vaccine costs £20 a time and is expected to be available on the NHS by the end of the year . Jeremy Hunt ’ s announcement follows growing pressure from charities , highlighted by the Mail , which warned that children were dying and suffering devastating injuries while wrangling about the cost continued . There are around 1,870 cases of meningitis B in the country each year and it commonly affects the under-fives and teenagers . It leads to around 120 deaths and leaves another 400 with life-long disabilities including brain damage , amputations and blindness . A panel of scientific advisers had recommended in October 2013 that the vaccine should not be introduced as it was not deemed cost-effective . But ministers told the Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation to carry out another assessment and this concluded last March that it should be offered . The Government then spent almost a year negotiating with drugs manufacturers trying to agree a cheaper price . On Saturday , the Mail highlighted how the jab was being denied to babies because of the cost row . Nearly 800,000 babies each year would be eligible for the jab at an average annual cost of £16million . Charities estimate the NHS would spend around £3million treating and caring for just one child who has survived meningitis but is left with life-long disabilities . GPs would give the injection to babies from the age of two months , with boosters at four months and 12 months . In most cases , they would have it with the five-in-one jab and the rotavirus oral vaccination . The move means the UK will be the first country in the world to offer the vaccine to all babies . 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. ’ Children need three doses in the first year of life , making the maximum final bill for the 700,000 born each year in England and Wales £42million . GPs are also paid a £7.50 fee for each dose administered . Meningitis B can kill a healthy child within hours of the first symptoms . The disease is an infection of the meninges - the membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord . Since the vaccine was licensed two years ago there have been 1,130 cases , of which at least 452 people died or suffered disabilities . The first symptoms usually include fever , vomiting and headaches . Others include limb pain , pale skin , neck stiffness , dislike of bright lights and confusion . It is commonly found in children under five years of age but can also affect teenagers aged 15 to 19 . It is fatal in around 10 per cent of cases . Some of those who survive are left with long-term problems , such as amputation , deafness , epilepsy and learning difficulties . He said ministers had had a ‘ stand-off ’ with Novartis , which owned the vaccine , ‘ for the best part of a year ’ as it failed to agree a cheaper price . The jab , called Bexsero , has since been bought by GlaxoSmithKline , which has agreed a lower cost . Sue Davie , of the charity Meningitis Now , said : ‘ To know that babies will be protected is fantastic and another great step forward in our fight against meningitis. ’ Chris Head , of the Meningitis Research Foundation , said : ‘ We are delighted that vaccinating all babies against this devastating disease is within sight , cementing the UK ’ s position as a world leader in meningitis prevention. ’ Dr David Elliman , a consultant in Community Child Health at the Whittington Health NHS Trust , North London , said : ‘ It is great news . The vaccine will mean the numbers of children suffering this terrible illness will be further reduced. ’ Meningitis is an infection of the outside layer of cells surrounding the brain and spinal cord , causing inflammation and damage . It can kill within hours and is the most common cause of death by infectious disease in childhood .
Britain will be first country in the world with the vaccination programme . Government spent almost a year negotiating with manufacturers over price . Almost 800,000 babies would be eligible for jab at annual cost of £16m . Jeremy Hunt ’ s announcement follows growing pressure from charities .