Public Health England launch meningitis vaccine programme

Health Secretary Shona Robison said: “The launch of the MenW vaccine prevention programme for teenagers is great news”.

Any young person born between September 1, 1996 and August 31, 1997 – who have turned 18 or are about to this month – is being written to by their doctors and offered the jab, regardless of whether they are intending to go to university or not.

The organisation thinks that many people at university will be mixing closely with lots of new people, who may be carry the meningococcal bacteria.

“This vaccination helps protect against four different causes of meningitis and septicaemia – meningococcal A, C, W and Y diseases”.

“MenW” is now responsible for about one quarter of all laboratory-confirmed meningococcal cases in England.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation announced the vaccination programme in June because cases of “MenW” had increased from 22 cases in 2009 to 117 in 2014. “You should be vaccinated before the start of the academic term or before leaving home for university or college – ideally two weeks in advance”.

From this week, older teenagers will start receiving an invitation letter and information leaflet, asking those who have left school to get the vaccine at their GP practice as soon as possible.

First-time university entrants this year aged between 19 and 24 should also contact their GP for the vaccination. Both diseases, if not diagnosed early, can kill. “Be aware of all signs and symptoms and trust your instincts – don’t wait for a rash to develop before seeking urgent medical attention”.

“They might be busy preparing to leave for university, working or enjoying their summer break, but a short appointment really could make an enormous difference to their future health”. We are particularly concerned with those going to university or college in the autumn as they are at a higher risk from what has been called “freshers” flu’.

From spring 2016 there will also be a school-based vaccination program for MenACWY, which will replace the MenC-only vaccine that is now offered to school Years 9 and 10.

But the Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Ado Gana Muhammad, in an exclusive interview with The Guardian said: “You will recall that in December 2011 we introduced the Mening A vaccine initially in seven states targeting one to 29 years”. Despite being only in my early twenties I’ve already had a hip replacement and have chronic arthritis in my foot – this is all because of the meningitis. “We need to get them to produce and provide vaccine, in the right quantity and at an affordable price”.