Justin Tomlinson MP with Dr Hilary Jones
Justin Tomlinson MP today attended a parliamentary reception hosted by the Meningitis Research Foundation.
The reception was aimed at raising awareness of meningitis and septicaemia and was an opportunity to meet individuals who have been affected by the diseases.
Meningitis and septicaemia are serious and potentially life-threatening diseases, with one in 10 suffers dying and a quarter of survivors being left with life-altering after-effects such as amputations, brain damage, deafness, blindness and epilepsy. It is babies, teenagers and young adults who are most at risk, with the diseases killing more babies and young children in the UK than any other infectious disease.
Over the last decade there has been significant progress in raising awareness and tackling the diseases with the introduction of new vaccinations, but there are still many strains of bacterial meningitis for which there are no vaccinations.
Dr Hilary Jones and Dr Nelly Ninnis from St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington spoke at the event, highlighting the importance of the continued efforts to tackle the diseases.
Justin Tomlinson MP said "Meningitis and septicaemia are horrendous diseases that sadly disproportionately affect the young. It is vital that we continue to raise awareness of these life-threatening diseases and work towards finding new vaccines."
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