Meningitis charity alerts unaware parents

Children may be at a higher risk of serious complications with meningitis, as the majority of parents think they have had them safely vaccinated.

A survey commissioned by the charity Meningitis UK, shockingly found that 51 per cent of parents wrongly believed their child to be fully protected against the killer disease.

A staggeringly high 62 per cent of people are still not aware that there is no vaccine for the most common and deadly form of the brain bug – meningitis B.

Currently, there is only an existing vaccine for Hib, meningitis C and pneumococcal meningitis as part of the childhood immunisation programme.

The survey also found that a majority 73 per cent of parents would want their child to have a vaccination for meningitis B should it be found.

The charity is concerned that this lack of knowledge can lead parents to miss the warning symptoms, putting little lives at greater risk.

Meningitis kills more children under the age of five than any other disease and it can kill in less than four hours.

Charity chief executive Steve Dayman said: “We are really concerned by these results.

“If a parent wrongly believes their child is protected, they could become complacent and not react quickly enough when the early signs of the disease are developing.

“A delay in seeking treatment could be fatal because meningitis can kill in under four hours.

“These results have made us even more determined to find a vaccine to eradicate all forms of meningitis and protect future generations.”

Meningitis UK is offering the public free symptoms information packs to help raise awareness.

These include a leaflet with all the facts and frequently asked questions, plus a ‘Check the Symptoms’ fridge magnet and a handy wallet-sized symptoms card.

To order your free symptoms information pack, please call 0117 373 73 73 or visit: www.meningitisUK.org