Complacency warning after alarming meningitis study

08.02.10

THE MAJORITY of parents wrongly believe their children are fully protected against deadly brain bug meningitis, a new study has revealed.

An alarming 51 per cent think their youngsters have had vaccines for all strains of the disease, with a further 24 per cent being unsure.

The survey, commissioned by national charity Meningitis UK, also shows that 62 per cent of people are unaware there is still no vaccine for the most common and one of the most deadly forms in the UK - meningitis B.

And the poll found that 73 per cent of parents would want their child to have a vaccine for meningitis B should it be found, only six per cent said no and the remainder were unsure.

Meningitis kills more under-fives than any other infectious disease despite existing vaccines for Hib, meningitis C and pneumococcal meningitis.

Meningitis UK says the results show a worrying level of complacency, which could lead to symptoms being missed and lives being put at greater risk.

Its chief executive Steve Dayman, who lost his own son to the disease, 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."

The poll was carried out to coincide with February, which is when cases of meningitis peak.

The disease is notoriously difficult to diagnose because its initial symptoms are similar to the cold and flu.

Children under five and those aged 15 to 25 are most at risk, particularly if their immune system is compromised.

Mr Dayman added: "Our advice to parents is to firstly make sure their children have had all the available vaccines.

"Secondly, they should be aware of the full range of symptoms to look out for, in addition to the rash which doesn't always appear.

"If they think their child has meningitis then they should trust their instincts and go straight to the hospital."

Meningitis UK's Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign aims to raise £7million to fund cutting-edge research to find a vaccine to protect against all strains of meningitis and save thousands of lives in the future.

It 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

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