A HEARTBROKEN mum from York who lost her daughter to meningitis in 2022 said she is devastated after more young people died of the illness in Kent this month.
Two students have died following the outbreak of meningitis B linked to a nightclub in Canterbury and the number of cases being investigated by health officials had grown to 27 by Thursday (March 19).
The news has been particularly painful for the family of Livia Wilson, from York, who died in 2022 after contracting meningococcal meningitis - the life-threatening bacterial infection that can cause meningitis, sepsis, or both.
Livia had complained of a headache days after returning home to Woodthorpe from a festival in Manchester the previous weekend.
Her mum Alison Goude thought Livia had “overdone it” after going straight back to work at Lucia’s Restaurant, in Swinegate.
The 19-year-old went to sleep on June 15, 2022, after taking paracetamol. She never woke up.
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The UKHSA said this week that six of the Kent cases had been confirmed as the meningitis B strain. The number is expected to rise because the incubation period for the infection to when symptoms appear is two to 14 days.
Alison, who works in finance for the NHS, said the situation was heartbreaking.
"Everything in the news brings it all back - not that it ever goes away, you just have to live with each day. That's hard enough in itself."
Since Livia's death, her parents Alison, and Matt Wilson, have been calling for the MenB vaccine to be given to her age group under the NHS as it currently is for babies and toddlers.
"It is just heartbreaking that there has been no change, and no action," said Alison.
"It is tragic that this outbreak has happened and that so many people have been affected. I just have to hope that, from this, change will now happen."
Livia's family and friends have strived to raise awareness of meningitis B among Livia's age group, and the symptoms to look out. They have also raised more than £35,000 - and counting - for the Meningitis Research Foundation whose mission is to prevent the devastating impact of meningitis.
They also want young people and parents to be aware that the MenB vaccine is available privately.
Since 2015, the MenB vaccine has been offered to infants while other routine childhood jabs can also protect against meningitis. The MenACWY vaccine, which covers four other meningococcal groups, is offered to teenagers in years 9 and 10, and can be given until the age of 25.
But teenagers born before 2015 are unvaccinated against MenB.
Alison said Livia had had the MenACWY vaccination at school but they had not appreciated that it did not cover all the strains of meningitis. She also had not known a MenB vaccine was available privately.
"When we found out, the first thing Livia's grandad said was 'it would have been the best money we have spent'. It is so hard to know we could have done something for her to still be here.
"Protection needs to be made available for this age group. That's what's so hard. The vaccination is there and has been for quite a few years now. It seems so wrong that it is restricted to babies."
Alison added: "We know what these families are going through. It is not just the families of those who have lost their life but also those affected by it. It is such a serious life-changing illness and they may not fully recover. Too many have been affected. I just can't believe it could be prevented and nothing has been done so far."
GPs across the country have been told to prescribe antibiotics to anyone who visited Club Chemistry in Canterbury from March 5-7, plus students from the University of Kent to ensure anyone who has left campus can get the right treatment.
Anyone with symptoms is encouraged to seek medical advice.
The UKHSA said: “Antibiotics remain the most effective treatment to limit the spread of invasive meningococcal disease.
“So far, over 2,500 doses have been given to students, close contacts and others, including some of those who attended Club Chemistry between March 5-7."
The UKHSA stressed there was plenty of NHS stocks of MenB vaccines after pharmacies reported they were struggling to obtain stock for people who want to pay privately.
For people seeking vaccines privately, Boots has a queuing system to enter its website, with a warning that demand is currently high. Superdrug has also created a waiting list.
The JCVI has previously ruled teenage MenB vaccination not cost‑effective as it does not prevent the bacteria from spreading, does not target all the different B bacteria strains, and offers relatively short‑lived protection - but Health Secretary Wes Streeting has now asked the committee to re-examine vaccine eligibility.
What are the symptoms of meningitis and sepsis?
Symptoms vary and can appear in any order.
They can include: a fever, headache, cold hands and feet, vomiting, confusion, rapid breathing, muscle and joint pain, pale, mottled or blotchy skin (this may be harder to see on brown or black skin), spots or a rash (this may be harder to see on brown or black skin), a stiff neck, a dislike of bright lights, being very sleepy or difficult to wake, and fits (seizures).
Early recognition of symptoms can greatly improve the outcome of the disease.
Anyone concerned about any of these symptoms, at any time, should contact their GP immediately or NHS on 111.
The NHS advises anyone concerned to trust their instincts and not wait for a rash to appear.
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