The UK is the first country to introduce a vaccine for the killer disease, meningitis.

A vaccine for a type of meningitis, MenB (meningococcal group B), which has been the single largest cause of the disease in the UK for decades, was recommended by the joint committee for vaccination and immunisation (JCVI) on March 21, 2014 to be given routinely to children.

After a year of negotiations with the manufacturer, health secretary Jeremy Hunt has announced the vaccine, known as Bexsero, will be available to babies as part of the public health programme.

Meningitis Now founder Steve Dayman MBE, who launched the UK’s meningitis movement after losing his baby son Spencer to Men B in 1982, said: "I’m absolutely elated with the news - I’ve waited 33 years since losing my baby to the same strain to hear this phenomenal, watershed news.

"So many lives and much misery will be spared".

Meningitis Now has played a significant part researching and developing the vaccine and has played a led in uniting supporters and politicians to lobby Government to get it free to all babies. Mr Hunt's announcement, however, fails to provide parents with the essential information as to when the immunisation programme will begin. Meningitis Now chief executive, Sue Davie said: "There are still strains of meningitis that do not have a vaccine, and, of course, today’s news does not protect many others from contracting the disease.

"Even in this time of good news, we must remind people to remain vigilant for the signs and symptoms and, if they suspect meningitis, seek medical help immediately."