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 ?

The current vaccinations offered are at low uptake levels since covid, why would the government waste money on another jab people won’t have. It’s not just the cost of the jab, it’s all the administration etc associated with it.

The people saying it's not "cost effective " obviously are the ones who lack perspective. Childrens lives shouldn't come down to what's cost effective. Data shows the highest risk groups for men b are under 4s and teens into adulthood (16-21) . Our teens / young people missed out.

If men b was something easily fought off or treated then ok, but it's not.

The people saying it's not "cost effective " obviously are the ones who lack perspective

That would be the jcvi...

And they're in the wrong here. Always have been on this, and many have fought against it for many years.

I would like to know why the year 9 booster works until adulthood but apparently a MenB course is temporary? Sounds highly unlikely. They should boost the post 2015 MenB in year 9 with B too. And catch everyone else up going to Sixth Form/uni. The UK has a higher risk profile with campus unis vs much of rest of Europe.

Let‘s not forget the kids are asked to have the flu shot primarily to protect the NHS, staff, spread, others, the elderly and they have money for that. Yet here we have something that protects young people in the prime of their life but there is no money? Reeks of putting the old demographic first as usual.

"Let‘s not forget the kids are asked to have the flu shot primarily to protect the NHS, staff, spread, others, the elderly and they have money for that."

Presumably because they are weighing up the economic cost of inactivity and the cost of treatment versus the vaccine taking into account population level data etc.

I imagine the cost of hospital treatment for people that would otherwise be Infected or susceptible to the flu exceeds that of the flu vaccination program.

For men B the balance was different ; or at least was with normal infection pattern and numbers

Over 30 teenagers has men B from one event. I think we shouldn’t be looking at cost benefit.

“Young people going on to university or college for the first time are particularly at risk of meningitis because they newly mix with so many other students, some of whom are unknowingly carrying the bacteria at the back of their nose and throat.”

Presumably the vaccinated generation post 2015 are less likely to carry the bacteria? Which means they will have more herd immunity and this current generation does not which makes it grossly unfair?

it shocked me that the BCG was removed from the vaccine schedule when my boys were young, they were given it at 8 weeks as their dad is Indian, and family and friends visit. It’s one I’d definitely have paid for if not.

my 17 year was already booked in for his men b vaccine at the start of summer, 1 year before uni. Hopefully they have stock for pre booked appointments!

No it wasn’t. MenB is most dangerous to under one’s and 16-25 year olds. The vaccine lasts c 5 years. So PP vaccinated her child against a disease that wasn’t overly dangerous to her son’s age bracket and may well have a false sense of security over his immunisation when he needs it at 16+.

Immunising your 15 year old would be sensible parenting.

We have twins it cost £440 to vaccinate them before uni. A father who lost his son to men b a few years ago suggested students have the option of adding the cost to their student loans and it sounds like a good option to me.

They spent the money on Wegovy.

"Over 30 teenagers has men B from one event. I think we shouldn’t be looking at cost benefit"

Well despite spending a lot of money, The NHS are still being rightly selective of who gets the vaccine.

A nationwide program is yet to be decided Iimagine based on whether they can identify why this event caused so many infections which really is unprecedented, and whether such events are likely to occur again in the future.

They have looked at the genetics of this strain of Men B and it was first identified in 2010, so has been out there for quite some time.

Whatever happened to aid its spread took place in that nightclub, sharing drinks, vaping etc. unravelling that is very interesting and important to stop other such outbreaks.

The vaccine is not as protective as you may think, it doesn't stop you catching it or being unwell - they interviewed a student who caught Men B two years ago, she had the vaccine, survived, but lost both legs.

The best protection is awareness of how it spreads, it doesn't spread anywhere near as efficiently as colds / flu / covid, its student behaviours that make them a soft target, and explain why outbreaks are uncommon in older adults. Educating young people is key, and research into the possible link to vaping.

DD was vomiting in bed last Sunday, and had been unable to move for two days.

Her bed was in Darwin Halls, Kent Uni.

When I read the news Sunday night, I wasn't angry that she wasn't vaccinated. I told her to get her butt out of bed and get to the medical centre.

She's not got meningitis thankfully, but I've got enough of a head on me to not want the country to channel money into a massive vaccination programme if it's not needed.

Let‘s not forget the kids are asked to have the flu shot primarily to protect the NHS, staff, spread, others, the elderly and they have money for that. Yet here we have something that protects young people in the prime of their life but there is no money

How many cases of flu requiring hospitalization are there each year compared to cases of MenB?

Reeks of putting the old demographic first as usual.

Reeks of ageism. As usual.

Cases falling

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwydl214dplo

Also confused by @twentyeightfishinthepond's assertion that we shouldn't be looking at cost-benefit analysis. What should the gov go on when deciding whether to vaccinate the entire teenage population of the UK? Vibes?!

I’d be willing to sacrifice cheap/free HRT prescriptions. No one’s been killed by menopause.

In any cost-benefit analysis of vaccines, a £ value is placed on the life of each child. What are your children worth to you?

"In any cost-benefit analysis of vaccines, a £ value is placed on the life of each child. What are your children worth to you?"

Not really ; if it's cheaper for taxpayers to vaccinate all teenagers than pay for the admission costa of all extra teenagers admitted to hospital then that's what they do.

In any event you can pay £220 I believe to vaccinate your own child.

Including the risk of death from the vaccine.

Also the fewer people vaccinated, the less it's effectiveness.

Respectfully, I'm not expecting the government to base its analysis of whether an entire UK-wide demographic should be vaccinated (with its attendant costs) on the value that I, personally, place on my child's life. How would that work?

I can use that value (and the risk likelihood and impact, and cost of mitigations) to decide whether I should, privately, pay for the vaccine, but I have to expect the government to make decisions like this based on cost-benefit, because that literally how the gov is meant to make pretty much every single decision (apart from the obvious corrupt exceptions).