The doctors called on the British Medical Association to adopt a policy of including a vaccine for meningitis C as part of the standard childhood immunisation programme given to three-year-olds.

But a motion put to the British Medical Association's annual conference in Belfast by the Gwent division failed this afternoon through lack of time.

Dr Bryn John, head of the BMA's Welsh Council, said the motion would be submitted again next year.

Trials are still being conducted on the meningitis C vaccine but scientists hope it could reduce the number of deaths from the brain disease.

Series of outbreaks

The motion comes in the wake of a series of outbreaks of meningitis in south Wales earlier this year.

Dr John said: "The vaccine is still being trialled and it will be another two to three years before it is approved.

"We need to make sure that it is thoroughly safe before it is included in the usual set of vaccines given to pre-school children, but I believe this would have overwhelming support from BMA members."