Granddaughter of Stroud doctor Jane Wells, who co-founded UK meningitis movement, one of first to benefit from lifesaving vaccination

GRANDDAUGHTER of doctor Jane Wells, co-founder of the UK meningitis movement, will be one of the first to receive a groundbreaking vaccination.

Dr Jane Wells, 58, of Stroud, will see granddaughter, Daisy, born May 29, receive the meningococcal group B (Men B) vaccination.

The lifesaving Men B vaccination, Bexsero, will be available from September 1, free to all newborn babies as part of the NHS immunisation programme.

She said: “I’m so pleased that Daisy will benefit from the vaccine, it’s the perfect gift," said Dr Wells, who co-founded the Parents Group Act in 1985 which became Meningitis Now after her son Dan contracted the disease.

“Meningitis has been prominent in our family – we have experienced three deaths and my son, Dan, survived the disease twice.

"With our history we were very worried for Daisy."

Jane added: "The introduction of the Men B vaccine comes after years of campaigning and hard work.

"Though I’m humbled that Daisy will qualify for the catch-up, it comes too late for so many."

Jane’s son, Dan, contracted HIB in 1984 aged two, and Men C in 1995, aged 13.

“When Dan first contracted meningitis it completely changed our lives," she said.

"We were in a dark hole and no one could tell us anything.

"There was very little known about the disease, its after-effects or how long it would take him to recover.

“No parent or child should have to go through what we did.

"Dan struggled with his balance, tiredness, sickness and his education for years but luckily his after-effects were minor compared to what they could have been.

"Fortunately, when Dan contracted the disease a second time, treatment and recognition had improved drastically.”

Sue Davie, chief executive at Meningitis Now, said: "I’d like to offer my congratulations to Jane, Dan and family on the birth of Daisy.

"It’s great news and I am delighted she will benefit from the vaccine.”

Babies will be offered the vaccine at two months old followed by a dose at four months and a booster at 12 months.

Sue added: “Whilst reaching this milestone is great news, I urge all parents to remain vigilant of the signs and symptoms of meningitis.

"There are still types for which there is no vaccine available."

The Meningitis Trust was founded after the Stroud/Stonehouse outbreak in the 1980s.

It merged with Meningitis UK in 2013 to become Meningitis Now.

Find out more at www.meningitisnow.org.