Parents Push for MenB Vaccine After Daughter's Death

0:00On March 20, parents of a 20-year-old London art student who died from meningitis B are urging the government to better protect young people from the disease. Iand, Sophie Ward passed away in July 2023 after doctors at Barnett Hospital sent her home, mistaking her symptoms for the flu. Now, with an unusual outbreak in Ken, reporting 29 cases and at least two recent deaths among young people, her father Paul Ward says more. Must be done to prevent needless losses. Sophie showed 10 classic signs of the infection, including severe headache, neck pain and sensitivity to light, but tests missed it without a key. Lumbar puncture. She worsened overnight and died less than 24 hours after symptoms began. An inquest last year ruled the hospital's decision to discharge her without antibiotics more than minimally contributed to her death. Paul Ward, who raised 20,000 pounds for meningitis now charity, points out many teens like Sophie got vaccines for other strains, but not B, leaving them vulnerable at university age.

1:04He appeared on news programs just before the Kent cluster, pushing for easier access to the MenB jab, perhaps through student finance. Health officials call the Kinsurge very unusual and are investigating if the strain spreads more easily. Studies have gotten the MenB vaccine on the NHS since 2015, but teens often need private shots costing around 200 pounds, with demand. Spiking now, the hospital has apologized, trained staff on sepsis awareness, and stress-seeking senior advice. As cases climb and students line up for vaccines, Ward hopes to shift views from seeing these tragedies as rare, stressing anyone could be next. Without protection.