Manufacturer Novartis recalled 21,000 doses of the meningitis C vaccine as a precautionary step.

Novartis said that it had discovered traces of Staphylococcus Aureus in the aluminium hydroxide solvent in which the vaccine is suspended, during tests on other vials - made at the same time - which had as an experiment been sent by air, rather than by road as they were to Britain. The Staphylococcus Aureus bacterium is associated with blood poisoning and skin infections.

Dr Ged Lee, from the MHRA, said: "The batch that was contaminated I can reassure you was not distributed into the UK and I can also reassure parents that the product that has been used in the UK has passed all the necessary quality standards and is perfectly safe."

Steve Dayman, chief executive of Meningitis UK, said that while this is worrying, we're pleased to hear Novartis is making every effort to recall the kit and investigate the root cause of the positive sterility test.