A mum whose daughter died from blood poisoning has welcomed the news that a vaccine against a form of meningitis will be introduced in the UK.

Andrea Walker (right), of Riddlesden, Keighley, lost her three-year-old daughter Ellie (left) on January 14 last year.

A post-mortem examination and initial tests failed to establish the cause of Ellie’s death, but it was eventually put down to streptococcal septicaemia.

Mrs Walker applauded the announcement that the Department of Health has recommended that the meningitis B vaccine, Bexsero, is introduced as part of the NHS vaccination schedule.

Department of Health advisors have stated that the vaccine should be added to the NHS childhood immunisation schedule for infants starting at two months of age.

Mrs Walker said: “I’m so pleased that this is being recommended, after what happened to me.

“If parents are reluctant to have their children vaccinated, I would advise them to do it. I don’t want the same thing happening to them, as happened to me. It would have been too late for Ellie, but other lives can be saved.”