Matthew showed his support for the Meningitis Research Foundation’s ‘Meningitis Matters’ activity by attending a Parliamentary reception aimed at raising awareness of meningitis, particularly amongst children. The event brought together Parliamentarians as well as leading healthcare professionals and marked the culmination of a day of action in Parliament.
Meningitis Matters looks to raise awareness of meningitis and septicaemia, and to ensure that tackling the diseases remains a top public health priority while the current NHS reforms are implemented.
Meningitis is still a serious and life-threatening disease, affecting around 3,400 people in the UK each year. Infants and young people are at greatest risk: meningitis causes the largest number of deaths amongst children under five - more than any other infectious disease.
Along with other MPs, Matthew signed a pledge calling on the Government to introduce new meningitis vaccines as soon as readily available. Many deadly strains of meningitis remain uncontrolled, and vaccination is still the most effective way to prevent and control it.
Matthew said: “Meningitis hasn't gone away - it still kills far too many children and leaves many more with life-long disabilities. Although real progress has been made over the last decade, more needs to be done. Meningitis and septicaemia are terrible diseases which are vaccine preventable and no child should be dying from them in today’s world. I have pressed the Government to answer when they will be introducing the MenB meningitis vaccine in order that more children can be protected. I will also be discussing the issue with Middlesex University, as many cases occur when students become freshers at university, to ensure they have adequate processes in place so students can identify the symptoms.”
Matthew is pictured signing the pledge with Mill Hill resident and Meningitis campaigner Julie Tucker