Teenagers in Worcestershire at high risk of the deadly meningitis W strain can protect themselves with MenACWY vaccine says Public Health England

Cases of meningitis and septicaemia caused by the aggressive meningitis W strain are on the rise across England but teenagers can protect themselves against the infection which can cause death or permanent disability.

The MenACWY vaccine is considered the best form of protection against these deadly diseases, with a 100 per cent effectiveness rate to-date say NHS England.

No Worcestershire figures are available yet for the take up of the vaccine.

However, a spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council which is responsible for public health locally, said: "Meningitis vaccination uptake in Worcestershire is very good.

"Current uptake of Men C vaccination which is given in the routine childhood vaccination programme (2015/16) in Worcestershire is 97.8 per cent.

The England average is not available due to data quality issues but the nearest comparable year was 2012/13 in which the England average was 93.9 per cent with the Worcestershire figure being 95.1 per cent).

"So uptake in Worcestershire has increased. Coverage for the Meningitis C booster routinely given at two years of age was 95.3 per cent (England average 91.6 per cent) in 2015/16 data.

"We don't currently have validated data for coverage of the newer programmes Meningitis B and the Men ACWY programme."

The first 18 months of the MenACWY vaccination programme saw more than two million eligible young people receive the MenACWY vaccine.

Public Health England say 18 year olds should be given MenACWY vaccine now by their GP practice.

Teenagers and young adults who have missed their MenACWY vaccination in previous years are also urged to contact their GP practice.

Those who are due to leave school this summer, or aged 17-18 and are not in school (born between September 1, 1998 and August 31, 1999) are now eligible.

The MenACWY jab protects against four strains of meningococcal disease which cause meningitis and septicaemia, known as strains A, C, W and Y. MenW is one of the most aggressive and life threatening forms and meningococcal disease can be fatal.

Many survivors are left with life changing disabilities, including brain damage and loss of limbs.

Dr Ash Banerjee, PHE West Midlands screening and immunisation lead said: “The MenACWY vaccination programme will save lives and prevent lifelong and devastating disability. We have seen a rapid increase in Men W cases across England in recent years and vaccination is the most effective way of protecting against infection.

“Young people are particularly at risk as they are carriers of the disease. Being in confined environments with close contact, such as university halls, hostels when travelling, or attending festivals, increase the chances of infection if unprotected."

New entrants to higher education (university freshers) are also eligible. Anyone who is eligible and has missed vaccination in previous years remains eligible up to their 25th birthday.

Symptoms may include pale, blotchy skin with or without a rash, irritability and/or confusion, severe headache, joint or muscle pains, dislike of bright lights, stiff neck, convulsions/seizures, fever, cold hands and feet, vomiting and/or diarrhoea and drowsiness or difficulty in waking up.

Dr Tom Nutt, chief executive at the charity Meningitis Now, said: “Meningitis can be a devastating disease, killing one in ten and leaving a third of survivors with lifelong after-effects such as hearing loss, epilepsy, limb loss or learning difficulties."