Hundreds back TB jabs campaign

5:15am Monday 2nd July 2007

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HUNDREDS of people have got behind a Basildon mum's campaign to have tuberculosis injections brought back for all schoolchildren.

Denise Parker launched the online petition in May after hearing worrying reports TB was on the increase.

Nearly 300 people have signed the petition, which calls for the jabs to be reintroduced, after they were scrapped in 2005 in favour of system which targets those considered most at risk.

Mrs Parker, a 45-year-old mother of two, of Fremnells, Basildon, said while she was thrilled with the response, she was hoping to gather many more signatures over the life of the petition.

She said: "I still can't believe this old disease is now making a comeback.

"Cases are still making the news and making headlines and it's something that people just aren't aware of."

Figures released by the Health Protection Agency in November show a 10 per cent increase in cases in the UK - from 7,321 in 2004, to 8,113 in 2005, with half the cases being reported in the London area.

The Government scrapped TB immunisation in secondary schools in 2005, replacing it with a "targeted" programme.

This prioritises infants deemed in high-risk areas, infants whose families came from high-risk countries and unvaccinated immigrants.

Schoolchildren are also screened for signs of TB, which is spread by coughs and sneezes.

Mrs Parker urged concerned parents to sign the petition and stop what she believes is the return of TB.

"This could be people's lives we're talking about. It doesn't cost anything to sign a petition."

Mrs Parker's petition has been posted on the Prime Minister's website.

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