The new Men B vaccine will be given to babies at two months, four months and 12 months old – and is to become the first national and publicly-funded programme against the deadly infection in the world.

Mr Durkan, who tabled parliamentary motions and campaigned at Westminster with the charity Meningitis Now, has also supported the local campaign by Derry parents Emma and Darren Cowey who lost their nine-month-old son Jamie to Meningitis B in November 2004.

He said: “I am delighted that the new Men B vaccine will be introduced in England and Scotland from 1 September – and will begin to save the lives of so many babies straight away.

“Northern Ireland must follow this progress and introduce the new Men B vaccine without delay.

“Bexsero can prevent 82 per cent of cases of Men B and the lifelong damage and loss of life it tragically brings.

“I commend everyone at Meningitis Now for their compelling campaign over many years.  Indeed, this great result is down to the brave and generous work of families and those who have endured Meningitis B’s worst.

“My own constituents Darren and Emma Cowey were typical of the character of the campaign that was fought – having lost their young son to Meningitis B and wanting vaccination to spare others from that risk.”