Pauline Latham OBE MP attended a drop-in event in Parliament last week to help raise awareness of the need to improve meningococcal vaccination in adolescents.

Meningococcal infections can be very serious, causing meningitis and septicaemia.  This can lead to severe brain damage, amputations and, in some cases, death.

This vaccination is the best way to prevent meningitis. Uptake of the Men ACWY vaccine amongst young adults aged 17-18 in England was approximately 33% in April 2017.  Young adults aged between 15 and 24 years accounted for 18% (137) of cases of invasive meningococcal disease cases in 2016/17, whilst those aged 25 years or older made up (322) 43% of cases. It is important to highlight the importance of getting a meningococcal vaccine for young adults. 

Pauline said, “I have pledged to raise awareness of the vaccination against meningococcal disease in young people.  It is vital that we promote meningitis awareness and encourage all young people and their families. 

I am very concerned at the low uptake of the vaccine.  Meningitis is an awful disease and every step possible must be taken to stop people from contracting it.”