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Charity calls for more meningitis vaccines after teenager's death
Health officials are reviewing routine MenB vaccination eligibility as one case is confirmed and close contacts receive antibiotics.
- Following the death of Henley College student Lewis Waters earlier this week, the UK Health Security Agency confirmed an outbreak of three meningitis cases. On Thursday, officials identified a social network connecting Waters to two pupils at Reading Blue Coat School and Highdown Secondary School.
- While the MenB vaccine has been routine for babies since 2015, teenagers and young adults currently lack access through the NHS schedule. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation is reviewing eligibility for routine coverage following the outbreak.
- Meningitis Now chief executive Dr. Tom Nutt told the BBC that young lives are "precious" and urged the government to expand vaccine rollout. Liberal Democrat MP for Henley and Thame Freddie van Mierlo called for a catch-up vaccination programme for students.
- The UKHSA reacted "quickly" to administer antibiotics to close contacts, according to Nutt. Officials advise young people to monitor for symptoms including high fever, stiff neck, and vomiting.
- Past outbreaks, including one in Kent earlier this year, prompted similar calls for wider protection. Experts note the MenB vaccine is "safe" and "effective," though the government faces challenges balancing high costs against broader coverage.
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Charity chief calls for wider rollout of meningitis vaccine
A college student died in Oxfordshire after contracting the disease.
·London, United Kingdom
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources10
Leaning Left3Leaning Right0Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution57% Center
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources are Center
57% Center
L 43%
C 57%
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