PRESS RELEASE

XX November 2017

LOCAL MP CALLS FOR GREATER MENINGITIS VACCINE TAKE-UP

[XXXXXX MP NAME] is taking a leading role in a campaign to help protect young people’s health in their constituency.

He/She has signed up to promote meningitis awareness and vaccination take-up with GPs and at XXXXXXXXXXX University, following a Parliamentary reception organised by charity Meningitis Now.

The charity is campaigning to increase the take-up of the lifesaving Men ACWY vaccine, which is available free to school leavers aged 17 to 18 and first-time university students up to the age of 25.

This year is the final year of a three year programme to protect young people against the disease, introduced following a Public Health England (PHE) report that showed Men W cases rising by 430 per cent between 2009 and 2014.

Vaccination uptake remains low though at just 33 per cent of those eligible and Meningitis Now estimates this leaves 1.5 million young people at risk.

At the same time the number of cases of Men W in England continues to increase, to 210 last year (2015-16) up from 176 the previous year, with one in eight of those affected dying.

XXXXXXXX said: “The low uptake of the Men ACWY vaccine among this at-risk group of young people is very worrying.

“I don’t want to see anyone in my constituency dying because they didn’t know about or didn’t get around to getting this vaccination.

“As we move towards the peak season for bacterial meningitis I’ll be writing to local GP practices and university leaders to urge them to do more to promote awareness and encourage improved take-up.”

He/She added: “It is vitally important that students protect themselves with the Men ACWY vaccine and learn the signs and symptoms of the disease. It only takes a few minutes and it could save theirs or their friend’s life.”

Dr Tom Nutt, chief executive of Meningitis Now, said: “We welcome XXXXXXXXXXXXX’s strong stand and support in persuading GPs and universities to encourage students to protect themselves and look forward to working with them to help spread this vital health message.”

Up to a quarter of students carry the bacteria that can cause meningitis compared to one in ten of the general population. Over 12 per cent of all cases occur in the 14 to 24 age group, with first year students being at particular risk.

Meningitis Nowis working towards a future where no one in the UK loses their life to meningitis and everyone affected gets the support they need.

It does this by funding research into vaccines and prevention, raising awareness so people know what to look for and what action to take if they suspect meningitis and rebuilding futures by providing dedicated support to people living with the impact of the disease.

For more information on meningitis and the work of Meningitis Now visit Notes:

For further information please contact: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

For further information on meningitis please contact: Andy Hopkinson, Communications Officer at Meningitis Now, on 01453 768006 or email

About Meningitis Now

Meningitis Now is the founder of the meningitis movement and the only charity dedicated to fighting meningitis in the UK.

We are working towards a future where no one in the UK loses their life to meningitis and everyone affected gets the support they need to rebuild their lives.

Meningitis Now fights the disease on all fronts:

  • Providing a powerful, united voice for people fighting meningitis.
  • Saving lives by funding vaccine and preventative research.
  • Reducing the disease’s impact through awareness.
  • Rebuilding futures with dedicated support.
  • Fundraising to deliver our plans.