Reacting to the update from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization (JCVI), Helen said they were extremely pleased with the proposal for a “catch-up program” for young people who had not previously been vaccinated, but added that governments needed to introduce it “sooner rather than later.”
“It will also prevent other people from having to suffer from lifelong conditions such as amputations, deafness and cognitive problems,” she said.
“As we have seen with recent outbreaks, meningitis can occur at any time, is fast-acting and can cause death within hours.”
She praised UK Health Secretary James Murray for his “impressive foresight and insight in rolling out the MenB vaccine to first-year students starting in September”, adding that she has “full faith” he will “do the right thing” and expand it in line with new JCVI guidance.
“We hope Wales will follow suit and protect our vulnerable young people,” she said.
“We are experiencing the most terrible and tragic loss of our beautiful, vivacious and compassionate daughter who had such a promising future ahead of her.
“We couldn’t sit idly by and watch more teenagers die from preventable diseases.”