The father of a tragic teen who died from meningitis B has called for urgent vaccine reform as health officials face questions over their handling of the outbreak in Kent on Friday. More than 100 students were turned away from a vaccine queue on the University of Kent’s Canterbury campus on Thursday while seeking the meningitis B jab.
Health partners are set to hold a media briefing in the county on Friday to provide updates on the deadly outbreak, with suspected and confirmed meningitis cases linked to it now at 27. The University of Kent explained it closed the vaccine queue on its Canterbury campus « due to capacity » on Thursday, as the clinic needed to end by 5pm.
This follows the family of an 18-year-old student who died in the outbreak describing their « immeasurable loss » and urging a review of eligibility for the menB vaccine.
Juliette Kenny died on Saturday March 14, just one day after initial symptoms of vomiting and cheek discolouration appeared, her father Michael Kenny said.
In a statement to the Press Association, Mr Kenny described his daughter as « fit, healthy and strong » before her death, having completed her PE A-level practical assessment on Thursday March 12.
Juliette, whom her father called a source of « beautifully positive energy », is one of two students to have died from the meningitis B outbreak in the county.
Mr Kenny said « no family should experience this pain and tragedy » and that « this can be avoided », expressing hope that his daughter’s legacy would be « lasting change ».
Mr Kenny added: « We are incredibly proud parents to two wonderful daughters.
« Juliette is a force in this world. With her beautifully positive energy she spread fun, love and happiness to those around her and she continues to do so now.
« The devastation of her loss to us, her family and friends is immeasurable.
« Sharing stories of the empathy, warmth and fun that she created is helping her family and friends through at this time. Her energy continues to make the people who love her find a way.
« The illness took her from us so quickly. »
Mr Kenny first noticed his daughter was unwell when she vomited in the early hours of Friday March 13.
Juliette, a Year 13 student at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Faversham, showed no other symptoms initially, he said.
« In the morning on Friday, she was taken, by us, to our local emergency drop-in as a discolouration appeared on her cheeks, » Mr Kenny said.
« She was given antibiotics and sent by ambulance to A&E.
« Juliette fought bravely for hours, but despite the fantastic NHS hospital staff fighting alongside her, meningitis took her from us less than 12 hours later.
« We were with her at the end, and the last sounds that she heard were the voices of those who loved her telling her how very much loved and cherished she is. »
Alongside the Meningitis Research Foundation, Mr Kenny and his family are calling for urgent UK action to improve access to the menB vaccination for teenagers and young people.
« No family should experience this pain and tragedy, » he said.
« Juliette’s impact on this world must be lasting change. Now is the time to ensure families are safe from the impact of meningitis B. »
Vinny Smith, chief executive of the Meningitis Research Foundation, noted that in 2015 the charity’s push for routine NHS menB vaccination for all at-risk age groups was not adopted as it was deemed not cost-effective.
The menB vaccine was introduced on the NHS for babies in 2015, leaving most young people born before then unprotected unless vaccinated privately.
On Thursday, 40 MPs signed a letter to the Health Secretary urging the Government and health officials to collaborate with universities nationwide on catch-up vaccination programmes and boost awareness.
It also called for a swift JCVI review of meningitis vaccine eligibility.
The Kent vaccine rollout targets anyone who attended Club Chemistry from March 5 to 15, Year 12 and 13 pupils at schools with cases, students and staff at the University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University, plus close contacts of confirmed or suspected cases.
The university said its vaccination clinic will reopen Friday from 9am to 5pm, advising queue arrival by 2pm.
Additional centres are opening across Kent as the immunisation programme expands, including Faversham Health Centre from 9am Friday through Saturday, and others at Vicarage Lane Clinic in Ashford and the University of Kent, per NHS England.
Of 15 confirmed cases, nine are known to be menB.
The UKHSA stated eligible patients can now request vaccination and antibiotics immediately from their local GP anywhere in England, including students who have returned home.
Over 8,500 antibiotics and 1,600 vaccines have been administered to eligible individuals in Kent amid the outbreak.
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