The parents of an 18-year-old who died from meningitis B have welcomed moves toward a wider MenB vaccine rollout, saying it could spare other families similar heartbreak. Meg Draper died just weeks after beginning university, bringing renewed attention to the risks the infection can pose to young people.
According to the report, her parents reacted positively to an update from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. They said they were especially encouraged by the suggestion of a catch-up programme for young people who have not received the MenB vaccine.
Meningitis B is a serious infection, and campaigners have long argued that protection should extend beyond early childhood to include older teenagers and students. The latest recommendation is likely to be seen as an important step in that debate, particularly for families concerned about the transition to university life.
For Meg’s parents, the proposed expansion is about preventing more avoidable deaths and serious illness. Their response reflects a broader hope that better access to vaccination could offer stronger protection for young people at a vulnerable stage of life.
