School leavers urged to protect themselves from meningitis

A meningitis charity is urging school leavers to protect themselves from the deadly disease this winter.
Teenagers should get vaccinatedTeenagers should get vaccinated
Teenagers should get vaccinated

Meningitis Now is backing a NHS Scotland campaign to encourage 16 to 18-year-olds to make an appointment with their GP to get the Men ACWY vaccine.

Cases of the disease are anticipated to spike during the winter, and teenagers and young adults are particularly susceptible.

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Teenagers are the second most at risk group of contracting meningitis after babies and toddlers.

Despite the risk, more than half of those eligible are yet to have their ACWY vaccination.

Sue Davie, Meningitis Now chief executive, said: “Up to a quarter of young people carry the bacteria that can cause meningitis compared to one in ten of the general population.

“Over 12 per cent of all cases occur in the 14 to 24 age group, so it’s vital that teenagers are not complacent about the threat of meningitis.

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“We urge them to take up the vaccine, but, because there are not vaccines for all strains, they should also learn the signs and symptoms of the disease, and look out for themselves and their friends.”

For more information, visit Meningitis Now

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