A vaccine which could have prevented a university student from losing all four limbs to a bacterial infection is not routinely offered to teenagers in Jersey or the UK – with Public Health reassuring islanders that the illness is “very rare”.

The island’s Public Health Department confirmed that the meningitis B vaccine has been offered to babies in Jersey since 2015, but is not routinely offered as part of the teenage vaccination programme. This is in line with the NHS vaccination schedule in the UK.

It comes after 24-year-old Lily McGarry urged young islanders to check their vaccination records before starting university after learning that she was not vaccinated against the bacteria that caused her illness.

Meningitis B is very rare and when seen is most likely to affect babies and very young children

Emma Baker, Health Protection, Senior Nurse Advisor at Public Health Jersey 

The former Jersey College for Girls student fell critically ill in January after contracting meningococcal septicaemia.

What began as flu-like symptoms escalated into septic shock, leaving doctors no choice but to amputate all four of her limbs.

In a message shared by UK charity Sepsis Research, Lily urged students heading to university this month to check their vaccination records.

She said: “I was a student at Cardiff University before this happened, and having checked my vaccination history since being ill, I realised that I was unvaccinated against meningitis B.

“And vaccination against this type of bacteria didn’t start until 2015, so it’s likely that if you’re starting this September, you too could be unvaccinated.”

Following queries from Express, a senior nurse advisor from Public Health confirmed that the department is not currently advising for teens to be vaccinated against meningitis B.

Emma Baker explained: “In Jersey, we follow the immunisation schedule set by the UK Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisations (JCVI) for Children and Young People.

“The MenB vaccine is offered to babies at eight and 16 weeks, and at around 12 months.

“The MenB vaccine is not routinely offered as part of the teenage vaccination programme, instead the Meningitis ACWY vaccine is offered at this time.

“Meningitis B is very rare and when seen is most likely to affect babies and very young children as such we are not currently advising for vaccination outside of the JCVI schedule.”

However, she noted that the MenB vaccine can be provided privately via GPs if it is “deemed appropriate” after a consultation.

One dose of the vaccine costs around £100.

Ms Baker added: “Public Health advise all young people travelling to university to check that they are up to date with their vaccination schedule.

“The Immunisation Team can provide advice and arrange for catch up clinics where required, you can contact the team on 01534 443741.”

Students heading to university are advised to have had the MenACWY, MMR, and HPV vaccines.