Father of tragic teen who died from meningitis B calls for urgent vaccine reform | UK | News
The father of a tragic teenager who died from meningitis B called for urgent vaccine reform as health officials faced questions over their handling of the outbreak in Kent on Friday. More than 100 students seeking a meningitis B vaccine were turned away from the vaccination queue at the University of Kent’s Canterbury campus on Thursday.
Health partners will hold a media briefing in the county on Friday to provide updates on the deadly outbreak, with suspected and confirmed cases of meningitis currently linked to it at 27pm. The University of Kent said it was closing the vaccine queue at its Canterbury campus on Thursday “for capacity reasons” as the clinic had to finish by 5pm.
It comes after the family of an 18-year-old student who died in the outbreak described their “immeasurable loss” and called for a review of eligibility for the menB vaccine.
Juliette Kenny died on Saturday, March 14, just one day after the first symptoms of vomiting and cheek discoloration appeared, her father, Michael Kenny, said.
In a statement to the Press Association, Mr Kenny described his daughter, who completed her practical assessment at PE A level on Thursday, March 12, as “fit, healthy and strong” before she died.
Juliette, whom her father described as a source of “beautiful positive energy”, is one of two students who died due to the meningitis B outbreak in the district.
Mr Kenny expressed hope that his daughter’s legacy would be “lasting change”, saying “no family should have to go through this pain and tragedy” and “it could have been prevented”.
Mr Kenny added: “We are incredibly proud to be the parents of two wonderful girls.
“Juliette is a force in this world. She spread fun, love and happiness to those around her with her beautiful positive energy and continues to do so.
“The devastation lost to us, his family and friends is immeasurable.
“Sharing the stories of the empathy, warmth and fun he created is helping his family and friends through this time. His energy continues to enable the people who love him to find a way forward.”
“The disease took him from us so quickly.”
Mr Kenny first became aware that his daughter was unwell in the early hours of Friday, March 13, when she vomited.
He said Juliette, a Year 13 pupil at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Faversham, initially showed no other symptoms.
“He was taken to our local emergency department on Friday morning after he noticed discoloration on his cheeks,” Mr Kenny said.
“He was given antibiotics and sent to A&E by ambulance.
“Juliette fought bravely for hours, but despite fighting alongside NHS hospital staff, meningitis took her from us less than 12 hours later.
“We were finally with him and the last voices he heard were the voices of those who loved him telling him how much he was loved and valued.”
Mr Kenny and his family, alongside the Meningitis Research Foundation, are calling for urgent action from the UK to improve access to the menB vaccine for young people and teenagers.
“No family should experience this pain and tragedy,” he said.
“Juliette’s impact on this world must be a lasting change. Now is the time to ensure families are protected from the impact of meningitis B.”
Vinny Smith, chief executive of the Meningitis Research Foundation, said in 2015 the charity’s push for routine NHS menB vaccination for all at-risk age groups was rejected because it was deemed not cost-effective.
The MenB vaccine became available on the NHS for babies in 2015, leaving most young people born before then unprotected unless specifically vaccinated.
On Thursday, 40 MPs signed a letter to the Minister for Health calling on the Government and health authorities to cooperate with universities across the country and raise awareness of vaccine catch-up programmes.
It also called for a rapid review of the suitability of the meningitis vaccine by the JCVI.
The Kent vaccine rollout targets anyone who attended Club Chemistry between 5-15 March, Year 12 and 13 students at schools with cases, students and staff at the University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University, as well as those in close contact with confirmed or suspected cases.
The university said the vaccine clinic will reopen Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and recommends arriving in line by 2 p.m.
According to NHS England, as the vaccination program expands, additional centers are opening across Kent from 9am on Friday to Saturday, including Faversham Health Center and Vicarage Lane Clinic in Ashford and other centers at the University of Kent.
Nine out of 15 confirmed cases are known to be maleB.
The UKHSA said eligible patients can now request vaccinations and antibiotics immediately from their local GP anywhere in England, including students returning home.
More than 8,500 antibiotics and 1,600 vaccines have been administered to eligible people in Kent amid the outbreak.
