After 7 years working alongside the NHS, I know that meningococcal infections can be very serious, causing meningitis and blood poisoning, and that this is most common in babies and young children.
Following much lobbying from myself and other MPs / Parliamentary Candidates, babies have been offered the Men B vaccine aged 2 months old, with boosters at 4 months and 12 months, as part of the routine NHS childhood vaccination programme. The vaccine is also available for the small number of older children who are at increased risk of infection, such as those with specific immune problems.
The Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), who advises the Government on all immunisation matters has not recommended the use of the Meningitis B vaccine in other age groups, including older children. However, the Petitions Select Committee, of which I am a member, has announced that they will commence evidence sessions into the availability of the Meningitis B vaccination before MPs debate it in Parliament.
I look forward to contributing to the sessions and raising the case of Harmonie-Rose Allen from Bath how suffered from the disease.