NHS England is working with Public Health England to ask parents of unvaccinated 17–18-year-olds across Bath, Gloucestershire, Swindon and Wiltshire to make sure their teenagers are immunised against meningococcal disease strains A, C, W and Y (MenACWY).

Meningococcal group W (MenW) cases have increased since 2009 and a particularly aggressive strain is causing disease in all age groups.

Teenagers and students are at higher risk because they mix closely with large numbers of new friends, some of whom will unknowingly be carrying the bacteria, enabling it to spread more easily.

To encourage teenagers to get the jab, a local campaign, coordinated by NHS England and Public Health England, is being targeted at schools and colleges in the region, asking students who haven’t had the MenACWY jab yet to contact their GP to be

vaccinated.

Schools and colleges can expect to receive a number of resources to help encourage their students to get vaccinated including leaflets, posters and letters.

As part of the programme for vaccinating this age group, local GPs are supporting the push for students to receive the MenACWY vaccination by writing to all

eligible eighteen-year-olds who haven’t had the jab yet to remind them to book an

appointment.

Dr Ardiana Gjini, Consultant in Public Health – Screening and Immunisation Lead for B&NES, Gloucestershire, Swindon and Wiltshire, said: “We know that meningococcal disease can develop suddenly, usually as meningitis or septicaemia, and it can kill or leave people with life-changing disabilities.

“Please help us to protect the young people in the region; if you have a child who is 17–18-years-old and is not vaccinated, get them to book an appointment with the GP for their MenACWY jab before they leave school or college.

“The vaccine not only protects those who are vaccinated, but helps to control the spread of the disease in the wider population.”

“It is really important that young people are vaccinated, as they move into different settings where they will interact with a wide range of people and may be exposed to more circulating bacteria. We know that this group is more susceptible to contracting the disease, and therefore urge young people aged 17–18 to contact their GP for the

MenACWY vaccination.”

Steve Dayman, founder of the charity, Meningitis Now, said: “We welcome this timely reminder for parents and young people to take this simple and potentially lifesaving step.

“Meningitis is a devastating disease and students need to be aware of the risks and the potential consequences of not being vaccinated. We urge all those eligible to get their vaccination as soon as possible and their parents to encourage them to do so.”