'My girl lost her limbs to meningitis - get the jab'

'My girl lost her limbs to meningitis - get the jab' Image source, Handout Image caption, Harmonie-Rose lost her arms and legs after she contracted meningitis as a baby By Harriet Robinson West of England The mother of a girl who lost all her limbs to meningitis is urging young people to get vaccinated, as figures show many still have not had the jab. Harmonie-Rose, from Bath , was just 10 months old when she contracted meningococcal septicaemia in 2014. She spent four months in intensive care and was given a 10% chance of survival.

The latest figures show 53,000 young people in the South West who qualify for the Meningitis B vaccine are yet to have their first dose. "You always think it won't be you but we thought that too," said Harmonie's mum Freya. "Vaccination is one of the best defences we have against this disease so if you or your child is eligible, please don't put it off." On World Meningitis Day, the UK Health Security Agency is calling for young people, especially freshers, to protect themselves against the disease after three students died from meningitis earlier this year.

Thousands of doses of the MenB vaccine have been given out as part of a "one-off" NHS vaccination programme launched this summer. Dr Matthew Dominey, public health consultant and screening and immunisation lead for NHS England South West, said more than 30% of eligible people in the South West had received one dose. "Meningitis B can be life-threatening and, tragically, it can kill," he said.

"The risk is higher for young people who are in their first year of university where close contact with lots of new people makes it easier for the bacteria to spread through everyday activities such as kissing, sharing drinks or vapes, and living together." Image source, Handout Image caption, Harmonie is now in Year 8 at school Freya said Harmonie, who is now 12, "had gone from babbling and trying to climb out of her cot to a still and silent little baby" within a day. After showing signs of a cold "a small purple mark appeared on her nose and within minutes it had spread across her whole body", she said. "I knew straight away what it was." Freya added: "Meningitis moves so fast.

"It can take hold in hours, which is why it's so important that parents know the signs and act immediately if something feels wrong, even if your child has just been seen by a doctor. "Harmonie is incredible. She swims, she does gymnastics, she goes to school, she dances and she's won awards but every day she has to find her own way of doing things that come easily to other children." Two doses of the MenB vaccine are required to be administered at least 28 days apart.

Students can get them from local pharmacies, booked via the NHS website. Get in touch Your Voice

Source: bbc.co.uk