Liz Brown CEO at Meningitis Now said:
“Today's debate directly reflects the concerns of the 820,000 people who read the Faye Burdett story and signed the biggest ever parliamentary petition to prevent another child suffering or dying from this devastating disease.”
“In 2014 the JCVI recommended that the government undertake a adolescent carriage study. Two years on, we are still waiting for the government to fulfil this request. We also know that that Department of Health commissioned a review of the rules used to evaluate the cost effectiveness of vaccines, and whilst we know the review has been completed, the findings have not been published. We need government to commit to clear timescales and accountability for the urgently needed an adolescent carriage study and for them to publish the cost-effectiveness review for public consultation.”
"In calling for these processes to be completed we acknowledge that they will take time. We also know that at-risk children, aged between 1 and 5 continue to die from MenB. We believe, along with the thousands of people who put their name to the petition, that we should be protecting our children by way of a one–off catch up programme now, whilst this vitally important work is undertaken.”
“The petition has put MenB at the heart of a public consciousness and I would ask MPs from across the UK to respond positively to their constituents who have signed it, by both attending and actively participating in the debate.”
"Today's debate offers us a great opportunity to save lives and move our battle against meningitis forward and I would urge MPs to grab it.”
