‘One in five 18-year-olds not vaccinated against meningitis as schools closure hit younger teens’

Freshers urged to get jab before starting university amid concerns about take-up rates
A meningitis awareness campaign has been launched
PHE
Ross Lydall @RossLydall12 August 2021

One in five 18-year-olds in London are feared to be unvaccinated against meningitis as concerns emerged about disruption caused by the pandemic to jabs normally given in school.

A campaign was launched today to encourage teenagers to get themselves protected against the bacterial infection, which can result in the loss of limbs, hearing damage and death.

Public Health England said awareness of the disease was “worryingly low” and urged adolescents to check their vaccination status with their GP, especially those heading to university or college in the Autumn.

A survey found that 39 per cent of Londoners aged 18-24  said they hadn’t received the MenACWY jab, which guards against multiple strains of the disease, or were unsure. Under normal circumstances, most would have been offered the jab several years ago.

The jab is freely available to everyone under 25, either from a GP or at freshers’ vaccination clinics arranged by universities.

The meningitis vaccine statistics for 2020/21 have yet to be published but schools closed on March 23 last year and only fully reopened last September, with all schools-based vaccination immunisation paused.

A catch-up programme was put in place, with a target of this month, but there are fears that the disruption will have affected take-up among pupils now aged 14 to 16.

Meningitis can cause life-changing disabilities such as the loss of limbs
PHE

Today’s campaign involves  the charities Meningitis Now, Meningitis Research Foundation, a Life for a Cure, PHE London, NHS London and drugs firm GlaxoSmithKline.

Professor Kevin Fenton, London regional director for PHE, said: "It’s clear that awareness of the dangers of meningitis and personal vaccination status amongst young Londoners is worryingly low.

“The pandemic has shown us just how important safe and effective vaccines truly are, and the same can be said for the MenACWY vaccine which remains one of the best defences against meningitis infection.

“Meningitis can have serious, life-threatening and sometimes life-changing consequences so it’s vital that all young Londoners take their MenACWY vaccine when eligible to do so.”

Meningitis bacteria are spread from person to person by prolonged close contact, such as coughing, kissing or sneezing.

Symptoms develop suddenly and can include fever, headache, vomiting, a rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it, a stiff neck, a dislike of bright lights, drowsiness, unresponsiveness and seizures.

All teenagers aged 13 to 15 (school Years 9 and 10) are offered the MenACWY vaccine as part of their routine school immunisation schedule.

In the 2019-2020 academic year, 32 per cent of year 9 students and 17 per cent of year 10 students in London were not vaccinated with MenACWY.

Dr Tom Nutt, chief executive of Meningitis Now, said: “Vaccines are the only way to protect against meningitis and, with teenagers an at-risk group, it’s vital for students and young adults to be aware of this lifesaving message.

“Every day at Meningitis Now we see the devastating consequences for individuals and their families of meningitis.”

Michelle Bresnahan, founder of a Life for a Cure said: “Having lost my son Ryan to meningitis when he was 16, I know only too well how devastating this disease can be and have seen the worst it can do.

“I would appeal to all parents to ensure their children are vaccinated, especially those who are heading off to university this autumn.”

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