A leading cause of meningitis and septicaemia in the UK is infection by a bacterium known for short as MenB. Between one in 10 and one in 20 of those who become ill will die and survivors can be left with permanent disabilities.Many are young children under four years old or teenagers between 15 and 19. Vaccination would be the best way to protect children from MenB infections, but no vaccine has yet been approved.

The researchers are developing a new vaccine against MenB, which they hope will protect children from meningitis and septicaemia.