Meningitis survivor wants others to get vaccinated

A woman who needed to have all her limbs amputated after contracting meningitis B (MenB) has urged young people in Jersey to get vaccinated against the disease.

The UK has launched a one-off programme for those going to university after several large outbreaks in England this year and it has been extended to Jersey.

Lily McGarry fell seriously ill with the bacterial infection at the beginning of last year and needed life-saving surgery.

The 25-year-old is currently learning to walk again using prosthetic legs and said she wanted to make sure no other young people from the island went through what she has experienced.

Students in Year 13 and those under 25 will be eligible to get vaccinated and they do not have to register to get the jabs, which will be administrated from 7 July.

McGarry said: "I don't want anyone else to be in my position... The reality is that it's going to be a difficult life for me."

"Any potential cases that can be prevented in the future is something that I strongly believe is very necessary.

"This is a kind of unique opportunity to have this available to you for free, so don't take it for granted."

McGarry added she also wanted those going to university to be aware of MenB's symptoms, which could be taken for so-called fresher's flu (often a wave of cold viruses and bugs among university populations during the first few weeks of term).

McGarry went into septic shock after contracting meningitis B and said it was important students knew the warning signs for both conditions.

"I was studying medicine and I knew about these diseases, but I never thought that I would be the one to get it," she said.

"So I would just encourage people to definitely get the vaccine, but also don't be complacent if you have had it.

"You still need to be aware of the signs and symptoms of both meningitis and sepsis, especially when leaving home and starting life as a student."

Emma Baker, from Public Health Jersey, said work has been done to make sure the vaccinations were as accessible to as many eligible young people as possible.

She said: "We're holding walk-in clinics so there's no appointments that are needed... We've got a good supply for the vaccines for those eligible in those cohorts.

"We encourage students to come forward as early as possible so they can have those two doses before they travel off to the UK for their university."

People can find out if they are eligible for the vaccinations and when clinics are held on Public Health's website.

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