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A vibrant and athletic 18-year-old university student, Meg Draper, tragically died just weeks after starting her physiotherapy studies in Bournemouth, succumbing to meningococcal type B meningitis (MenB).
Meg, who quickly became a beloved figure, joining both swimming and netball teams, fell ill in October. Her grieving parents, from Pontypool, Torfaen, alongside the National Union of Students UK, are now leading a poignant campaign for the MenB vaccine, or a booster, to be made routinely available to young adults through the NHS.
Millenium TV has learned that the MenB vaccine, which offers the only protection against the strain responsible for over 82% of UK meningitis cases, is currently only provided on the NHS for infants. This protection lasts for approximately two years. For older children and young adults, a private vaccination or booster typically costs around £220.
While MenB is generally uncommon in those over the age of four, a notable second peak of cases occurs in teenagers. This pattern has fueled arguments for a widespread vaccination program for this age group. The Welsh government, adhering to advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) in 2014, previously deemed a routine jab for young adults “not cost-effective.”
Meg had received vaccinations against meningitis strains A, C, W, and Y. Her parents expressed their profound shock upon discovering the existence of a separate MenB vaccination. The head of the charity Meningitis Now described it as a “tragedy” that young people are not routinely protected against this strain.
Meg’s mother, Helen Draper, emphasized that they would have paid the £220 for a private MenB vaccination “in a heartbeat” had they known. She explained to reporters, “We’ve spoken to hundreds of people who have reached out and we’re yet to find a single person that was aware. They’re in the same position as we are. That really scared us because at first we thought we’d dropped the ball, that we’d missed something.”
Meningitis involves the inflammation of the meninges, the protective tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord, typically caused by bacterial infections. University students face an elevated risk due to close living quarters and frequent social mixing, as the bacteria can spread similarly to the common cold through respiratory droplets.
Meg’s passion for physiotherapy was ignited after receiving treatment for an injury sustained while trialling for the Wales netball under-17s team. Her parents described her acceptance into Bournemouth University as a “dream.” Mrs. Draper portrayed her daughter as “sporty, gregarious, outgoing, really charismatic, and chatty,” adding, “She just loved being around people and people genuinely loved to be around her. She had this zest for life that was compelling. We were in awe of her.”
Enjoying university life, Meg quickly bonded with her flatmates and actively participated in campus sports. However, she suddenly reported feeling lethargic one evening. Within 24 hours, her symptoms, which included a fever, headache, vomiting, and a rash on her stomach, rapidly deteriorated, leading to her hospitalization. She died within days.
Mrs. Draper recalled that Meg was vaccinated at 14 against the A, C, W, and Y strains during the coronavirus lockdown. Both she and her husband Lee believed this comprehensive vaccination protected their daughter from all forms of meningitis. Mrs. Draper, 45, stated, “The way it was portrayed to us was, that it was the meningitis vaccination, we weren’t aware there was another one.”
Millenium TV has learned that the MenB vaccine is offered to babies on the NHS in three doses and can be given up to two years of age if missed. Symptoms of meningitis include a severe headache, high temperature, and a rash. While early diagnosis and antibiotic treatment can lead to full recovery for many, about one in four survivors face long-term complications such as amputation, deafness, epilepsy, or learning difficulties.
Dr. Tom Nutt, Chief Executive of Meningitis Now, highlighted the severity of MenB, noting its potential to be fatal for up to one in ten affected individuals, often killing within 24 hours. He remarked, “The fact there is a vaccination available against MenB that could protect this group of young adults, we think that’s a bit of a tragedy. Prevention is better than cure, it’s far better to protect to help healthy lives, to help keep families together and avoid the pain of bereavement and disability which is caused by meningitis. It’s a good investment in terms of keeping people healthy and saving lives.”
Mrs. Draper affirmed, “We can’t bring Meg back but what we can make sure is that her death isn’t in vain. For us, her legacy in doing so is everything.” The family aims to raise awareness among parents and advocate for the MenB vaccine’s availability to young adults via the NHS.
A spokesperson for the National Union of Students UK asserted that there is “simply not enough awareness” for students entering university, and called for the NHS to offer the vaccine. They added, “While we all expect the inevitable freshers flu, there are deadly viral strains also circulating which students need to be protected against, and aware of. The Meningitis B vaccine should be offered on the NHS – there should never be a cost barrier to life-saving vaccines. And until then, universities and colleges themselves should consider offering it to their students as no lives should be lost to a preventable infection.”
Bournemouth University officials commented that Meg “made a big impression” and “her loss has been felt deeply.” They explained that students are advised on vaccination against meningitis strains before enrollment and receive reminders throughout the year, emphasizing immediate medical attention for any symptoms, even post-vaccination. The university has also been conducting weekly walk-in clinics for the MenA, C, W, and Y strains.
© Millenium TV
