Second meningitis vaccination call for young people
BBCPupils in school years 7 to 13 are urged to get their vital second vaccination against Meningitis B (MenB).
From 1 June, Dorset HealthCare will offer vaccinations to more than 6,500 eligible young people in the Weymouth, Portland and Chickerell areas, on five different dates.
This comes after three Weymouth pupils - two at Budmouth Academy and at Wey Valley Academy - contracted the disease in April. All three have made a full recovery.
Dr Beth Smout, interim deputy director of health protection at UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) South West, said they had seen no further cases of meningitis, "but it's still important to recognise the signs and symptoms".
Following the infections in April, hundreds of staff from the trust, Dorset Council and other local organisations set up a rapid vaccination programme, running clinics at schools across the south Dorset area.
The trust said that just under 76% of the eligible young people received the first dose, "but a second dose is required to give full protection".
Smout said fever, headache, rapid breathing, drowsiness, shivering, vomiting and cold hands and feet were among the symptoms. and anyone suspecting the disease should seek immediate medical attention.
Two people died in the outbreak of meningitis in Kent earlier this year, a sixth-form pupil at The Henley College in Oxfordshire died earlier last week and three students at separate schools in Reading, Berkshire, are also being treated.
Dorset HealthCare said there was currently no evidence of MenB spread outside of the Weymouth area and the risk to other children living in the county was "very low".
Young people are eligible for the vaccine if:
- they are a resident in Weymouth or Portland or Chickerell and in current school years 7 to 13 (or equivalent), or anyone not in full time education who would be in one of these year groups, or
- they attend an educational setting in the Weymouth, Portland or Chickerell area and are in current school years 7 to 13 (or equivalent).
On 1, 3, 5, 6 and 13 June, clinics will again be running at All Saints, Wey Valley, Atlantic and Budmouth academies.
Evening and Saturday sessions will be included for anyone else in the target age group who lives in Weymouth but doesn't attend one of these settings, who goes to schools elsewhere or is not in full time education.
Anyone who missed the first vaccination will be able to have it at one of the upcoming clinics if they notify staff.
There are about 300 to 400 cases of meningococcal disease diagnosed in England every year.
It is most common in babies, young children, teenagers, and young adults.
Meningitis symptoms can develop suddenly - and can include:
- a rash that doesn't fade when pressed with a glass
- sudden onset of high fever
- severe and worsening headache
- stiff neck
- vomiting and diarrhoea
- joint and muscle pain
- dislike of bright lights
- very cold hands and feet
- seizures
- confusion/delirium
- extreme sleepiness/difficulty waking
