A mother whose son came close to death after contracting meningitis is urging for a vaccination program to be implemented for teenagers and young adults.
Gaynor Simpson, aged 54, expressed regret that she was not aware of the vaccine earlier to protect her son Ross. Ross battled invasive meningococcal disease that escalated into sepsis, requiring five days of life support. While Ross, a computing science student at the University of Glasgow, survived, Gaynor is deeply affected by the recent meningitis outbreak that claimed the lives of two young individuals.
Gaynor vividly recalls the day in February 2023 when her then 18-year-old son, Ross, was rushed to the hospital exhibiting classic meningitis symptoms such as severe head pain, a stiff neck, and light sensitivity. Ross fell ill suddenly while living with two other students in a flat.
Although the menB vaccine was introduced for infants in 2015, individuals born before that time have not received the vaccine through the healthcare system. Calls have been escalating for broader access to the vaccine following the recent outbreak in Kent.
Gaynor, residing in Bearsden, East Dunbartonshire, is a spokesperson for Meningitis Now, advocating for NHS-funded meningitis B vaccinations for teenagers and young adults, along with a booster program by 2030 to safeguard those immunized in infancy.
Expressing her hopes, Gaynor emphasized the importance of extending the vaccine to all young people at the age of 16 to ensure comprehensive protection during their high-risk years. She highlighted the confusion parents face when discovering the availability of vaccines and expressed that had she known about the menB vaccine, Ross would have been vaccinated immediately.
Notably, Ross had received the MenACWY vaccine as a teenager, different from the meningitis B vaccine. Gaynor believes parents often feel uncertain as they assume they have covered all bases by adhering to NHS-recommended vaccinations.
The UK Health Security Agency reported 15 confirmed cases and 12 under investigation, with nine of the confirmed cases linked to menB as of Wednesday.
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