To be angry at the government for not vaccinating our teens against Meningitis B.

[Socrossrightnow]

Back in January I became aware that there was a vaccine for meningitis B that we could pay for privately. My son is starting uni in September and I thought we would the save the money to have him vaccinated privately but hadn’t booked an appointment yet. I signed a petition started by a family that had lost their son to meningitis B too. Now the terrible tragedy has unfolded. I’m also confused why they are vaccinating some young people who attended the night club. From what I understand it takes weeks for vaccine to work after 2 doses a month apart. Why can’t this be done nationally ?

It's shocking because it's so unusual. I remember when teens and uni students regularly died during meningitis outbreaks. Big campaigns led to the vaccination programme that means these are now thankfully rare.

Children are now being routinely immunised against Meningitis B and it's a tragedy that this outbreak has cost lives for a cohort that missed out.

But it is really rare. I hope all the affected young people make a full recovery.

Surely this tells you why we don't do wholesale vaccinating?

Have a look around the world. Very few countries vaccinate against it more than we do.

You have to get these things into context. It's hitting headlines and it is beyond horrific for the families involved but economically we can't vaccinate against absolutely everything when the impact on the population as a whole would be minimal.

I hear you. I also have a DD home from uni soon (not Kent) so I do understand everyone’s fears.

I haven’t seen a lot of media reporting (too busy at work dealing with vaccine queries lol) but I understand it’s unusual for bacteria to mutate (that’s more common with viruses) so it’s possible the reporting is slightly speculative.

Thank you.

Not everything is the governments job… why could you not book them in for vaccination privately ahead of university? You have access to the internet and all the current research and health risks of university.

Why have a Covid or flu jab then?

Yanbu OP. They should have had a catch up program for children born before 2015. I suppose Brexit campaigning took priority.

Do we really think it's the governments job to provide vaccines for every eventuality? What do we want the NHS to stop providing in order to do this?

@DidntHaveTheLatin the NHS has been fighting against those nurses who wanted to simply be allowed to change in peace without male eyes leering at them so for a start I'd re direct funds from there. Also stop buying branded Weetabix etc

@GoldenCupsatHarvestTime what this has shown is the dreadful ,terrible communication around the vaccines.

Everyone is confused even in the NHS.

People are misled and confused someone who died a few years ago at uni from men B parents said...we had to tick the box ..all jabs received...yes.

Why would you seek out random vaccines ??

Oh yes and all the money spent on pumping vulnerable kids with hormone drugs.

BBC News - Why is MenB vaccine not given to teenagers in UK and should they be offered it? - BBC News
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3rzg0vg947o

"Why can’t this be done nationally ?"

Ironic that when people with pre existing medical conditions suffered from COVID it was infections and risk are part of life, trust your immune system, don't live life in fear etc.

In this case, the jabs are expensive and the immunity they give short lived. Outbreaks like rte one in Kent is unprecedented. I mean the whole "more likely to be run over than die of the virus" is probably true of meningitis.

The same reason you’re meant to seek out vaccines when you travel, move countries, start certain jobs. I’ve had loads of vaccines of my own volition in the last 4 years because of these things. I certainly didn’t enjoy paying over £800 for them all but my health is my responsibility to stay on top of.

i could understand this attitude towards a vaccine to go abroad eg Rabies but this is a vaccine that can save lives of young people in this country. Do you really not think that we should have a vaccine for all ages? Not every one can afford to pay for these vaccines privately.

Because the evidence at the time indicated that it massively reduced the risk of both transmission and becoming very sick. Covid was and is far more transmissible than Men B and was a pandemic. This is not.

Or it shows how that the population needs to be better educated on vaccines. Their mere existence doesn’t mean we shouts all have all of them, and the existence of the NHS doesn’t mean they should all be free to everyone.

But since the jabs only cover a few strains, why bother?
That’s your argument for Men B.

I almost died from meningitis B at a uni outbreak, before the vaccine. I can understand why parents are terrified. People do need to get some perspective during this outbreak though, the reason it’s such a big story is precisely because it is very rare. That’s small comfort to those that have had their lives devastated though. My heart breaks for the families who’ve lost a much loved one.

I’ve always been in favour of it being added to the vaccination programme for teens and had planned to get DC done this summer because I’m fortunate enough to be able to afford it, I didn’t see the point earlier as not in the right risk age group until now. I’m hoping that the current supply issues die down quickly.

But if anything comes out of this outbreak, I hope it’s heightened awareness of the symptoms to watch out for. It feels like that’s knowledge that has waned over time with the vaccines that are on the nhs schedule.

Have you done a cost benefit analysis?

What if disease x appears tomorrow? Or disease y? Where does it end?

We have the JCVI to stop Secretaries of State knee jerking like this.

Yabu. The chances of your child catching men b is rare, dying from it even rarer, hence the headlines. Most people who are unfortunate enough to get it will recover after antibiotics. You just need to be aware of the symptoms and act promptly if you are concerned. I won't be rushing out to get my teen vaxed.

I booked for my 19 year old who is away at uni a few days ago, but it was cancelled due to lack of vaccine. It’s worrying 😓

@Ilikewintertotally agree. Ive said the same on other threads.

as soon as a vaccine becomes mandatory the anti vaccine people shout about it.

so people are left very vulnerable.

my point was in other comments is SO refreshing to see how many teenagers are getting it regardless. And I would imagine, sadly, a high percentage of their parents would NOT have allowed it.

Sadly the measles outbreak was younger children, so no choice.

@Hereforthecommentz

here’s the statement from a father who lost his daughter

As we've been reporting, we have had a statement this morning from Michael Kenny, the father of sixth form student Juliette who died following the meningitis outbreak in Kent.
Here is his statement in full:
“We are incredibly proud parents to two wonderful daughters. Juliette is a force in this world. With her beautifully positive energy she spread fun, love and happiness to those around her and she continues to do so now. The devastation of her loss to us, her family and friends is immeasurable.
"Sharing stories of the empathy, warmth and fun that she created is helping her family and friends through at this time. Her energy continues to make the people who love her find a way.
"The illness took her from us so quickly. On Thursday 12th March, she successfully completed a practical element of her P.E. A-level. She was fit, healthy and strong. In the early hours of Friday 13th Juliette vomited. There were no other symptoms at this time. In the morning on Friday, she was taken, by us, to our local emergency drop-in as a discolouration appeared on her cheeks.
"She was given antibiotics and sent by ambulance to A&E. Juliette fought bravely for hours, but despite the fantastic NHS hospital staff fighting alongside her, meningitis took her from us less than 12 hours later. We were with her at the end, and the last sounds that she heard were the voices of those who loved her telling her how very much loved and cherished she is.
"No family should experience this pain and tragedy. This can be avoided. There are young people currently battling this and young people still at risk.
"As parents, we knew our children would change the world and be a force for good. The work to protect young people has started. It needs to be more. Juliette’s impact on this world must be lasting change. Now is the time to ensure families are safe from the impact of meningitis B.”

Not sure where you are but I’m in southeast and contacted every travel clinic 20 mile radius from me and there is no vaccines available. My (now) early teen children had the vaccine 9 years ago and I wasn’t aware it only lasted a few years, nothing was mentioned that they would need a booster as I definitely would have taken them back to get it before now (I should have checked this info too)