A doctor whose infant son died of meningitis is urging eligible young people in England to receive the NHS MenB vaccine ahead of the new academic year, highlighting the importance of early action to prevent rapid illness progression.
A doctor who lost his infant son to meningitis is urging eligible young people in England to take up the NHS MenB vaccine before the new academic year begins. Dr Steve Dayman, founder of the Spencer Dayman Meningitis Research charity and the UK’s Meningitis Movement, said early action matters because the illness can escalate fast and its first symptoms can look like flu or a hangover.
The NHS says the two-dose MenB programme is being offered to people born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008, along with first-time university students born on or after 21 July 2001 who will be living in shared accommodation. Government guidance says the one-off programme begins in July, with a second dose due in August, and that international students under 25 should ideally have their first jab in their home country before arriving in the UK.
MenB vaccination protects against meningococcal group B bacteria, which can cause meningitis and sepsis, but it does not cover every form of meningitis or every cause of sepsis. The NHS says eligible young people should book their first dose as soon as possible, with participating pharmacies among the places offering the vaccine. Two doses are needed for full protection, and they should be given at least four weeks apart.
Health services also warn that meningococcal disease can develop quickly and does not always present in the same way. Symptoms can include fever, a severe headache, a stiff neck, sensitivity to light, confusion, drowsiness, cold hands and feet, rapid breathing and a rash that does not fade under pressure. Because the bacteria spread through saliva and mucus droplets, risk rises in settings such as halls of residence, busy social events and shared living spaces.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
