Young people across the East Midlands encouraged to get lifesaving MenACWY vaccination

Published on: Friday, 11th November 2022
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Uptake of the meningitis MenACWY vaccine has been low in the East Midlands with as many as over 22% in Derby City and 17% in Leicester City missing their routine vaccine in secondary school, leaving local teenagers unprotected before arriving at university this academic year.

First year or returning students can be at increased risk of meningitis as they mix with large numbers of other students from around the country and overseas. Low immunity levels and a lack of exposure to infections during the pandemic has left young people vulnerable to meningococcal disease, so it’s especially important to remind students to get the MenACWY vaccine if they missed this at school.

Meningococcal disease can cause meningitis – a dangerous swelling of the lining around the brain and spinal column - and septicaemia (blood poisoning) which can both trigger sepsis. Meningococcal disease needs urgent treatment and can be life-threatening.

Some know more than most the devastating impact this disease can have and the importance of ensuring all young people are vaccinated.

Ed, now 22, is a student at Loughborough University. He was 15 when he fell ill with meningitis in 2014: He said: “It was the last week of term before we broke up for Christmas and I had felt ill all week. I had had a really bad headache and felt really run down.

“By Friday night I had started to feel a bit better. I had dinner with my family and was just really looking forward to Christmas. However, things took a sudden turn for the worse in the early hours of the morning. I started vomiting continuously and felt terrible. I just thought if I went back to sleep everything would be alright.

“My dad slept in my room that night to make sure I was okay but when he tried to wake me in the morning I was unresponsive. My mum and dad called round our next door neighbour, a retired nurse, who told them to ring 999 immediately. 

“I was rushed to hospital and taken straight to intensive care, where I was unconscious for 24 hours. When I came round I was completely bewildered. Where was I? Who were all these people? Why were there loads of wires sticking out of my arm?

“My mum and dad were both sat by my bedside. They looked like they were about to cry. They were both so relieved. From that point onwards, they knew I was on the mend, and so did I. After another day in intensive care, I was taken to a children’s ward, where I spent the next two weeks.

“The few months after coming out of hospital were probably the toughest few months of my life. I felt so isolated from my friends. They had no idea what I had just been through and they didn’t understand why I couldn’t do a lot of the things I could do before.

“I have always played football to a very high level and after I had meningitis I couldn’t play for over four months. This was heart-breaking for me, especially since at the time I had no idea that I would ever play again.

“Going through this experience made me feel passionate about raising awareness of meningitis and trying to help people who have been through a similar situation to me.”

Often confused with a flu, a hangover or COVID-19, students are particularly at risk of missing the early warning signs of meningitis.

A new digital campaign, launched by Meningitis Now, Meningitis Research Foundation, A Life for A Cure, the NHS, UKHSA and GlaxoSmithKline calls for young people to register with a GP, take up the offer of a MenACWY and familiarise themselves with meningitis symptoms. Parents are reminded to check whether their child is protected by the MenACWY vaccination and to contact their child’s GP if they still require a vaccine.

Anthony McGinty, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control, from the UK Health Security Agency, East Midlands, said: "It’s a real concern that we are seeing a growing rate of young people unvaccinated against MenACWY in our region and they could have started university without the full protection that the NHS immunisation programme offers for free. We know that due to the COVID-19 pandemic rates of routine vaccinations have dropped however places such as colleges and universities can be hotspots for the spread of diseases such as meningitis. 

It’s vital that if you haven’t had your MenACWY vaccination to book in with your GP – it could save your life, and all students need to be aware of the signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia. Don’t assume it’s just a hangover or freshers’ flu. If you’re poorly make sure a friend knows and stay in touch regularly with friends who are ill. These diseases can progress rapidly so urgent action in getting medical attention is critical - call NHS 111 straight away.”

Dr Tom Nutt, chief executive of the charity Meningitis Now, said: “Meningitis is a devastating disease that can strike anyone at any time and leave havoc in its wake. Many young people will know of someone from their community whose life, and that of their family and friends, has been torn apart by its impact. With vaccination the only way to protect yourself against the misery this disease inflicts we’d urge all those who haven’t yet taken advantage of this free MenACWY vaccination to do so as soon as possible. The good news is that by doing so you will not just be protecting your own health but that of your friends and the wider community too.”

The MenACWY protects against four strains of meningococcal disease, but not all forms, like MenB so it is vital that young people know about signs and symptoms of this serious disease, and what to do if they are worried about their own or someone else’s health.

Symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia include: a blotchy rash that doesn’t fade when a glass is rolled over it, fever, aching muscles and joints and a stiff neck. You should get medical advice as soon as possible if you're concerned that you or your child could have meningitis. For more information, visit: Meningitis - www.nhs.uk.

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