CASES of the deadly meningitis C disease have dropped dramatically in schoolchildren following the introduction of a rolling immunisation programme.

Since the programme was introduced by Buckinghamshire Health Authority in November 1999 thousands of children have been immunised.

In the first half of last year there were seven cases of confirmed Group C meningitis in school age children, compared with no cases after the programme was nearly complete in the second half of the year.

Zoe Scullard, public health nurse immunisation adviser, said: "This is a great achievement.

"But I do urge parents and guardians of children and young people who have not yet been immunised to make an appointment at their GP practice for their child to have the meningitis C vaccine."

Dr Elizabeth Haworth, consultant in communicable disease control, said: "We must not be complacent. There is no vaccine available yet for the Group B strain of meningococcal disease. Recognising the symptoms early and getting rapid treatment could save lives."