Students and teenagers across Britain will be offered a new meningitis vaccine to protect them against an outbreak of a highly aggressive variant of the disease.
Cases of meningitis W (MenW) have been on the rise since 2009, and in February the government’s joint committee on vaccination and immunisation declared an outbreak in England and Wales.
Officials recommended a new vaccination programme and, from Saturday, the MenACWY vaccine will be introduced for all 14-to-18-year-olds in England, Wales and Scotland, as well as students under the age of 25 attending university for the first time this autumn.
The new vaccine, which replaces the old MenC vaccine, will also be introduced in Northern Ireland from 1 September.
Cases of meningitis W have been increasing year-on-year, from 22 cases in 2009 to 117 in 2014, according to Public Health England. It now accounts for about a quarter of all laboratory-confirmed meningococcal cases in England.
Its rise comes as cases of meningitis C have reduced dramatically since 2002, with increasing numbers of people inoculated against that variant. However, the old MenC vaccine offers no protection against new strains.
Meningitis is caused by an invasive infection of the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, also known as the meningococcus. There are 12 known groups, of which groups B, C, W, and Y have been historically the most common in the UK.
The disease is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. This infection causes these membranes – called meninges – to become inflamed, which can damage the nerves and brain.
Since the introduction of the MenC vaccination programme cases of meningitis C have dramatically fallen, with group B now accounting for the majority of cases. A MenB vaccination programme targeted at young children will begin on 1 September.
Babies and young children under five years of age are most at risk, but students, who live in close proximity and share residences, kitchens, cigarettes and kisses, are also a high-risk group.
Sophie Royce, 23, from Reigate in Surrey, lost the tips of her fingers and toes to meningitis W after she came down with the disease two years ago. It took 30 operations, 37 blood transfusions and an eight-and-a-half week stint in hospital to save her life. “I had total organ failure, my lungs were overloaded with fluid from my body being poisoned from the inside out,” she wrote in an account of her ordeal posted to Facebook this week.
Cindy Sitambuli-Davis lost her brother, Saleem, to meningitis in 2007. He contracted the virus during his second year of university. “Saleem had been out on the Friday night with his girlfriend and the next day thought he had the symptoms of a hangover,” Sitambuli-Davis said. “His girlfriend and flatmate found him dead in his bed later on the Sunday.”
Making an appointment with a GP to get vaccinated could mean the difference between life and death, she said, adding: “I will be making sure my son – Saleem’s nephew, who is now 18 years old – is vaccinated at the earliest opportunity.”
Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at Public Health England, said all eligible teenagers would be called in for vaccinations by their GP. University freshers should contact their GP for vaccination before starting their courses.
“First-time university entrants from 19 to 24 years of age inclusive should also contact their GP for the vaccination,” she said. “Meningitis can be deadly and survivors are often left with severe disabilities as a result of this terrible disease. This vaccine will save lives and prevent permanent disability.
“We must all remain alert to the signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease and seek urgent medical attention if there is any concern. The disease develops rapidly and early symptoms can include headache, vomiting, muscle pain and fever with cold hands and feet.
“Be aware of all signs and symptoms and trust your instincts – don’t wait for a rash to develop before seeking urgent medical attention.”
