AN internal inquiry has been launched into the York vaccination debacle which saw Meningitis C vaccines for nearly 600 school children stored at the wrong temperature.

Children at Acomb and St Paul's primary schools in York, Tockwith Primary School, Forest of Galtres Primary School at Shipton and Wigginton Primary Schools are being advised to have a booster vaccination after tests showed a slight reduction in the vaccine quality.

Dr Robin Ball, district immunisation co-ordinator for York Health Trust, said: "When something like this happens we need to know why. The information gathering isn't complete, there are still two or three people to be interviewed, then a full report will be presented both to the trust and to the regional health authority."

He said a central session for booster vaccinations was being arranged to take place, probably at York District Hospital, before the end of term.

Parents will be notified individually of the time to bring their child to the hospital and small clinics will also be conducting catch-up sessions for anyone who misses the large session.

Dr Ball said: "I do want to reassure parents that almost certainly the vaccine these children have received will give them full and lasting protection but the way to be most certain of that is to have a repeat vaccination."