Parents across the north west are being urged to remind their teenagers to get vaccinated against deadly meningitis and septicaemia.
As cases of meningitis and septicaemia caused by the aggressive meningitis W strain on the rise, parents are asked to remind teenagers from ages 17 and up wards to get vaccinated.
The MenACWY vaccine has proven to be most affective against the two deadly viruses and has a 100% effective rate to date.
Since the introduction of the MenACWY programme over two million young people have received the vaccine.
18-year -olds who have just finished school or 17-year-olds that aren’t in school are urged to make an appointment with their local GP to receive the vaccine.
The jab is protective against four strains of meningococcal diseases known as A, C, W and Y. MenW is one of the most aggressive forms of meningitis and can prove to be fatal.
Those affected by the disease and survived have been left with life-changing disabilities, which is why those eligble for the vaccine are urged to get the jab.
Dr Graham Wardman, Consultant in Screening and Immunisation in Greater Manchester, said: “The MenACWY vaccination programme will save lives and prevent lifelong and devastating disability. We have seen a rapid increase in Men W cases across England in recent years and in the North West and vaccination is the most effective way of protecting against infection.
“Young people are particularly at risk as they are carriers of the disease. Being in confined environments with close contact, such as university halls, hostels when travelling, or attending festivals, increase the chances of infection if unprotected.
“Get vaccinated as soon as possible, remain vigilant and seek urgent medical help if you have concerns for yourself or friends.
“New entrants to higher education (university freshers) are also eligible. Anyone who is eligible and has missed vaccination in previous years remains eligible up to their 25th birthday and is urged to have the MenACWY vaccine.”
Despite the jab’s effectiveness, it doesn’t prevent all types of meningococcal diseases.
The signs to look out for are;
- Pale, blotchy skin with or without a rash
- Irritability and/or confusion
- Severe headache, joint or muscle pains
- Dislike of bright lights
- Stiff neck
- Convulsions/seizures
- Fever, cold hands and feet
- Vomiting and/or diarrhoea
- Drowsiness, difficult to wake up
Vinny Smith, Chief Executive of Meningitis Research Foundation said: “Sadly we know too many people who have been struck down by MenW. 18 year old Lauren Sandell fell ill last year in her second week of university, having tried to get the vaccine before leaving home. She mistook her early symptoms for a mild case of food poisoning. Two days later her symptoms got rapidly worse and she died just as the ambulance arrived.
“If you don’t know whether you are entitled to the free vaccine, our online eligibility checker will make it easy to find out. If everyone who is eligible gets it, this will not only protect them but will also help protect others by stopping the bacteria from spreading.”
Dr Tom Nutt, Chief Executive at the charity Meningitis Now, said:
“It’s vital that young people and their parents are not complacent about the threat of meningitis, and we urge all those eligible for this lifesaving vaccination to arrange to get it today. Meningitis can be a devastating disease, killing one in ten and leaving a third of survivors with lifelong after-effects such as hearing loss, epilepsy, limb loss or learning difficulties.
“With teenagers being a high-risk group, we welcome this timely reminder for parents to ensure their loved ones take this easy step to help protect themselves.