New Forest paralympian Aaron Phipps MBE backs NHS meningitis vaccination plea
NEW Forest paralympian Aaron Phipps MBE is backing NHS calls for students and young children to protect themselves against meningitis.
The gold medal winner from Totton lost his legs due to the disease aged 15 and is now joining the NHS to warn people not to think “it will never happen to you or your child”.
Parents are being urged to ensure they and their children have been fully vaccinated against meningitis and to speak to their GP if they are not sure.
Cases typically surge following the start of the academic year and remain high right through until March.
Aaron Phipps had both of his legs and most of his fingers amputated due to blood poisoning from meningitis.
He went on to become a gold medal winning Paralympic champion and has scaled Kilimanjaro on his hands and knees for charity. He was also voted in the top 100 most influential people in the UK with a disability.
Backing the NHS call to get vaccinated, Aaron said: “Only hours after I noticed my symptoms of meningitis, I collapsed and had to be put on life support and into a controlled coma for two weeks.
“After my amputations I had to spend a year in hospital to continue receiving treatment and recovering.
“Vaccines are a victim of their own success, as thanks to those against meningitis being rolled out it's much rarer to hear or see people like me and you think it will never happen to you or your child.
“You cannot underestimate the importance of getting protected against meningitis – so don’t put it off, get a vaccine appointment booked for you or your family today.”
Steve Russell, NHS national director for vaccinations and screening, said: “Too many children and young people are still not fully vaccinated against meningitis – a debilitating disease that can strike quickly and leave you with life-changing health complications if not treated promptly.
“Aaron speaks powerfully about his own personal experience of meningitis and is right to say you cannot underestimate the importance of protecting you and your child against this highly dangerous disease, for which vaccinations are our best defences.”
