Infants in Britain are to be vaccinated against a common gastrointestinal bug, it has been announced.
The vaccine will be given at four months old with the aim of preventing infection with the rotavirus, the Department of Health said.
The virus puts about 14,000 children a year in hospital and affects about 140,000 in total annually.
Officials say the vaccine could cut the number of hospital admissions by two thirds. It is already used in the USA.
The programme will cost the NHS some £25 million a year and is expected to save some £20 million in hospital costs.
NHS director of immunisation Professor David Salisbury said: "Rotavirus spreads very easily and affects around 140,000 children every year, causing distress for them and their families.
"Many people think of diarrhoea as something that all children get and that you have to put up with. But there is a way to protect children from this.
"I’d encourage all parents of young children to accept this vaccine when the programme begins next year."
The news was welcomed by senior GPs.
Royal College of GPs chair Dr Clare Gerada said: "Anything we can do to prevent this illness should be seen as a positive development and we welcome the announcement of the vaccination programme for young babies.
"Parents should be reassured that it can be easily incorporated into the routine childhood immunisation programme."
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