Immunisation is an area where effectiveness is relatively easy to measure and the outcome can be seen in a matter of a few years or even less. Recent successes have included the introduction of the haemophilus influenza type B vaccine in 1992, given its role as a significant cause of meningitis. Since the introduction of this vaccine, the incidence of this condition has reduced tenfold and is close to the point of eradication. An immunisation campaign against group C meningococcal disease was launched in October 2000. The aim of the campaign was to immunise all children and young people up to 22 years of age against the disease. The result has been impressive. In 2002, 14 cases of group C meningitis were reported, compared with 139 cases over the same period in 2000. This represents a 90% reduction overall. However, this success did not come cheaply. The costs of the group C meningitis programmes were in the order of €80 million for initial start-up and €10 million ongoing revenue funding.