BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on 19 August discussed prevention of group B Strep infections in babies. You can listen to the interview here. Dr Anne Mackie, Director of the UK National Screening Committee, repeatedly asserted that the number of babies ‘badly affected’ by group B Strep was 40 a year.
This is simply incorrect.
The number of newborn babies voluntarily reported with culture-proven group B Strep infection in England, Wales and Northern Ireland was 302 in 2010. We at GBSS are disappointed that, despite being offered the opportunity to do so, Dr Makie repeatedly asserted the 40 figure.
Public Health England has been prompt in recognising the error
@jimbo1579 @GBSSupport Apologies for any confusion caused, it is well known that 350-400 babies are affected each year, of whom 40 sadly die
— Public Health England (@PHE_uk) August 20, 2013
we await something similar from Dr Mackie and the National Screening Committee.
Series online here
