Parents Support UK Vaccine Advisory Committee's MenB Recommendation After Daughter's Death

The parents of Meg Draper, who tragically died from Meningitis B weeks into her university studies, are endorsing the new guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The JCVI, which advises UK health departments on immunisation, has now recommended that a MenB vaccine be offered to all first-year university students.

Meg Draper, 18, fell ill in October 2022, just a month after beginning her course at Bournemouth University. Her condition rapidly deteriorated, and she passed away within a day of her symptoms manifesting. Her parents, Scot and Joanna Draper, have been vocal in their campaign for increased MenB awareness and vaccination among young adults, particularly those entering higher education.

The JCVI’s updated advice follows a review of epidemiological data, which indicated a heightened risk of MenB infection for this specific demographic. The Drapers argue that their daughter's death, and those of other young people, could have been prevented with earlier and broader vaccine provision. They stated, "No more families should endure this preventable loss." Currently, the MenB vaccine is part of the routine childhood immunisation programme, but the new recommendation targets a previously unprotected, high-risk group.