WEST Devon schools will be helping to tackle meningitis C by testing a new vaccine.
South and West Devon Health Authority is again asking local schools and colleges to participate in an intensive research programme into meningitis.
A total of 15,000 sixth form pupils from across different parts of Britain are being swabbed for three consecutive years to build up data on the effect of the new vaccine on the strains of meningitis carried in the throat.
The results of the first phase of the research, which took place at the end of 1999, found that about 18 per cent of the students who participated were carrying the meningococcal bacteria. South and West Devon Health Authority says it is again targeting the 16-19 year old age group, which is among the highest risk groups for contracting meningitis and has the highest rate of carriage.
The second phase of the research was conducted last autumn, and now the third and final year of the programme will be introduced.
The vaccine was introduced two years ago and is already showing encouraging results, with an estimated 85 per cent reduction in the incidents of meningitis C.