A GROUP of parents who each lost a teenager to meningitis have issued a hard-hitting warning to other parents to ensure their children take up a lifesaving vaccine against the disease.
Parents Michelle Bresnahan, Paul Gentry, Julia Styles and Ailsa Sugrue are spearheading charity Meningitis Now’s campaign to increase Men ACWY vaccine uptake among young adults.
United in their grief, they have taken the brave step to speak out about the pain of their loss to prevent similar tragedies happening to other families.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Michelle said: “We all know only too well how devastating this disease can be and have seen the worst it can do, destroying young lives and tearing apart those who remain.
“We want to appeal to all parents to ensure their children are vaccinated, especially those who are heading off to university this autumn.
“We’re also calling on parents to ask another parent in their son’s or daughter’s friendship group to do likewise – the more awareness we can raise the better.”
Meningitis Now’s campaign coincides with a campaign by Public Health England to increase vaccination rates among young people.
The Men ACWY vaccine has been offered to all 17 and 18-year-olds and all university entrants, aged 19-25, free on the NHS since August 2015, to combat the rise in Men W cases in adolescents. But cases continue to increase in England, from 30 in 2011/12 to 210 last year (2015/16), up from 176 the previous year.
Meanwhile uptake of the vaccine across the country remains stubbornly low at about one-third of those eligible.
Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at PHE said: “The MenACWY vaccination programme will save lives and prevent lifelong and devastating disability.
“Get vaccinated as soon as possible, remain vigilant and seek urgent medical help if you have concerns for yourself or friends.”
