Some 100 babies in the Bristol area are taking part in clinical trials to test out a vaccine against the most common strain of meningitis.
If successful, researchers hope it could eventually lead to the eradication of meningitis B.
Meningitis UK's Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign aims to raise £7m to fund research into the disease which can kill in under four hours.
The Bristol-based charity hopes a vaccine will be ready in five years.
Meningitis can affect anyone of any age, however children under the age of five, young people aged 16-24 and the elderly are most at risk.
It is an inflammation of the lining that covers the brain and spinal cord.
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Meningitis UK
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