Home / Health / Meningitis B Vaccine Advice Shift Saves Lives
Meningitis B Vaccine Advice Shift Saves Lives
20 Jul
Summary
- Parents mourn daughter lost to meningitis B weeks after starting university.
- Official advice now recommends free meningitis B jabs from age 15.
- Welsh government cites time, cost, and feasibility for implementation.
A significant shift in vaccine advice following a tragic loss is set to save numerous lives. Parents Helen and Lee Draper, from Pontypool, experienced the devastating loss of their 18-year-old daughter, Meg, to meningitis B in October 2025, just weeks after she began her university studies.
Following this heartbreaking event, official recommendations have been updated, advising governments to offer a free meningitis B jab from the age of 15. This change comes despite prior assessments that deemed such a widespread vaccination program not cost-effective.
The Welsh government has acknowledged the new advice, noting that implementing such changes takes time. They must carefully consider factors like affordability, feasibility, and the overall impact on the National Health Service before full adoption.
