Hospital bug vaccine 'in a decade'

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A drug to prevent Clostridium difficile (C diff) will be tested on patients having elective surgery later this year, and if it is found to be effective it is likely to be available in three to five years, while a vaccine against MRSA is in development but will not be ready for seven to 10 years.

Launching his annual report, Sir Liam Donaldson also called for a new focus on the health of teenagers.

He highlighted six key factors threatening the health of young people: smoking, alcohol and drugs, accidents and violence, diet, physical activity and sexual health.

Sir Liam said the legal blood alcohol level for drivers under 20 should be reduced to zero.

The report, entitled On The State Of Public Health called for a national summit on health services for teenagers, more involvement of teenagers in the design of health services and the setting up of a young persons' panel on risk taking in teenage years.

Sir Liam said he believed reducing the legal alcohol limit for teenage drivers would save lives.

His report pointed out that alcohol use increases the risk of a crash for a young driver two and a half times more than for an older driver.

Data from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) showed there were 1087 cases of MRSA during October to December 2007, a 0.6% rise compared with July to September 2007.

Figures for C diff showed an 8% drop over the same period.