Why Haven T You Had the Meningitis Vaccine Yet?

Saving lives, rebuilding futures

PRESS RELEASE

October 2016

WHY HAVEN’T YOU HAD THE MENINGITIS VACCINE YET?

XX is backing calls by leading UK charity Meningitis Now for all first year university students to get the lifesaving Men ACWY vaccine this winter.

The charity, which launches its Student Awareness Week on 24 October, will be drawing attention to the worryingly low uptake of the vaccine leaving thousands of students at risk from this deadly disease.

Following an increase of 809% in meningococcal (group W) meningitis cases in the past five years, government launched a vaccination programme to protect young people aged 14-15 through schools, and those aged 17-18 and first year students up to 25 through GPs and clinics.

Despite the increasing risk to students and the recent deaths of a number of students across the UK, the uptake of Men ACWY remains very low, with just XX% of 17 and 18 year olds within XX taking up the vaccine, and 17.4% across England.*

A small number of students have already contracted and died from meningitis this semester and so it is more important than ever to be protected from the disease.

Charlotte Hannibal had just returned to uni in Nottingham when she contracted Men W. She thought she had the flu when she began to experience symptoms including feeling cold, a sore throat and a bloating feeling in her stomach.

Charlotte spent 17 days in an induced coma and woke unable to remember what had happened to her. She said: “I was left with severe memory loss – I couldn’t remember being ill at all. My hearing was also damaged. I had both legs amputated below the knee and lost all my fingers on my left hand and have recently undergone a kidney transplant. I’m now just very grateful to be alive and well.”

Charlotte is one of many volunteers speaking out about the risk of meningitis to students as part of Student Awareness Week 24 – 30 October. The campaign aims to make sure students know the signs and symptoms of the disease and get the free, lifesaving Men ACWY vaccine.

To support the campaign follow Meningitis Now on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use the hashtag #ACWYnot. Or to find out more visit www.fightfornow.org

Editors Notes:

For more information or resources contact Helen Hillier, Communications Officer, Meningitis Now – [email protected] or call 01453 769018.

Regional statistics on Men ACWY uptake, PHE – published September 2016: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/553736/hpr3216_menACWY_VCa.pdf Liz Brown, Chief Executive at Meningitis Now said:

“We welcome XX’s support in calling on students to get the Men ACWY vaccine. It is particularly poignant given the sad news of a student death at the University of Northumbria from Men W. Young people, especially those attending university for the first time should, if they haven’t done so already, take immediate action to protect themselves from the danger of meningitis.”

Meningitis and Septicaemia Facts

• Meningitis is usually caused by bacteria or viruses • Meningitis is inflammation of the membranes that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord • Septicaemia is blood poisoning • Some bacteria that cause meningitis also cause septicaemia • Meningitis and septicaemia often happen together – it is vital to know all the signs and symptoms • The early signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia can be similar to ‘flu and include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting and muscle pain. • The more specific signs and symptoms include fever with cold hands and feet, drowsiness, confusion, pale blotchy skin, stiff neck, dislike of bright lights and a rash which doesn’t fade under pressure. • In babies, symptoms can also include being floppy and unresponsive, dislike of being handled, rapid breathing, an unusual, moaning cry and a bulging fontanelle (soft spot on the top of the head). • There are an estimated 3,200 cases of bacterial meningitis and septicaemia each year in the UK. • Following bacterial meningitis or septicaemia, one in ten people will die and at least a third of survivors will be left with lifelong after-effects such as hearing loss, epilepsy, limb loss or learning difficulties • Meningitis and septicaemia can affect anyone, of any age, at any time. However, babies and young children are most at risk, and young people between 15 – 24 years are also a higher risk group. • In the past 20 years, effective vaccines have been developed to give protection against SOME types of meningitis. These are offered to all babies and young children as part of the UK childhood immunisation programme. BUT there are not vaccines to protect against ALL types. • A vaccine to protect against meningococcal group B (Men B) disease, the most common cause of bacterial meningitis and septicaemia, was introduced into the UK childhood immunisation programme in September 2015. • If you suspect someone may be ill with meningitis or septicaemia, trust your instincts and get immediate medical help. For more information visit www.MeningitisNow.org. Freephone helpline 0808 80 10 388.

About Meningitis Now Meningitis Now is the founder of the meningitis movement and the only charity dedicated to fighting meningitis in the UK. With 30 years’ experience, we are working towards a future where no one in the UK loses their life to meningitis and everyone affected gets the support they need to rebuild their lives.

Meningitis Now fights the disease on all fronts: • Providing a powerful, united voice for people fighting meningitis. • Saving lives by funding vaccine and preventative research. • Reducing the disease’s impact through awareness. • Rebuilding futures with dedicated support. • Fundraising to deliver our plans.