Until last week, only those teenagers who were at school were automatically given the life-saving meningitis C vaccine.

But in a relaxation of funding rules, Croydon's GPs have now been told they can immunise anyone who is aged between 15 and 17 and has so far slipped through the net.

General Practitioners in the borough were immediately told by Croydon Health Authority to start giving the vaccinations.

All 15,16 and 17-year-old's who have not yet been immunised are now being urged to contact their GP for an appointment to receive what is a highly effective vaccination against Meningococcal C disease.

Croydon's consultant in public health medicine, Dr John Thomas, told the Guardian: "I am pleased to inform all 15, 16 and 17-year-olds that their GPs are now able to offer Meningococcal C immunisations. If teenagers have missed their

immunisation either because they have left school or because they were not at school during the recent immunisation programme they must get in touch with their GP."

He stressed that the vaccination on offer only protected against the C strain of the disease and that parents and children should still be on the lookout for tell-tale symptoms.

Symptoms to watch out for include: rash, fever and vomiting, muscle pain, severe headache, stiff neck, dislike of bright lights, abdominal pain and drowsiness. The Meningitis Research Foundation 24-hour hotline is 0800 800 3344.