TEENAGERS in Bradford are being encouraged to get the meningitis MenACWY vaccine, with figures suggesting that over one in five in the district have not yet done so.

First year or returning university students can be at increased risk of meningitis as they mix with large numbers of other students, so students are now being reminded to get the MenACWY vaccine if they missed this at school.

Meningococcal disease can cause meningitis and septicaemia, which can both trigger sepsis, and can be life-threatening.

Lewis Hilton from Halifax was just 19 when he died of meningitis in 2018.

Lewis had been working alongside his dad as a joiner when he started to feel ill and went home. He had a headache and took some tablets during the night, but by the morning it had become significantly worse.

Dr Mercy Vergis, from the UK Health Security Agency, said: “Thankfully, the risk of catching meningitis is low, as the infection does not easily pass from person-to-person.

“However, we must remain vigilant to the signs and symptoms of the disease and take immediate action if infection is suspected.

"I would strongly urge young people to check that they have previously received the free Men ACWY vaccine, and if they haven’t, to book an appointment with their GP.”