Where's our vaccine?

Campaigning for access to the MenB vaccine.

In March 2015, we launched a campaign asking Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt #WheresOurVaccine and calling on him to intervene to introduce the long-overdue MenB vaccine into the national immunisation programme for infants as soon as possible.

The campaign had a number of elements:

Health Professionals and Scientists Open Letter on MenB:

In a letter coordinated by us and led by Dr Simon Nadel, Adjunct Professor of Paediatric Intensive Care, St Mary’s Hospital, Imperial College London , 516 Health professionals, associations and colleges across the UK have asked Jeremy Hunt why no progress has been made in the introduction of the vaccine and when it will be brought in. It is unusual for a letter such as this to elicit so many signatories and we are awaiting a response.

Petition

We launched an online petition looking for 10,000 signatures asking #WheresOurVaccine.

Lobbying MPs

Supporters across the country are writing to their MP’s to ask them to find out why the vaccine has not been introduced. They have also written to prospective parliamentary candidates to find out their views on MenB implementation before the forthcoming general election. As we approach the election we are concerned that this vaccine will be forgotten about.

Selfies

Our members send selfies to @Jeremy_Hunt asking #WheresOurVaccine on Twitter and posting on Facebook.

The result

The Department of Health responded shortly afterwards announcing that the vaccine would be made available.

They replied to out supporters on twitter, saying:
 
"UK Government strikes deal for world-first national MenB vaccine programme #WheresOurVaccine ---> #HeresOurVaccine!!!"

 

We call for positive change as a united voice against meningitis and septicaemia, and a dedicated champion for those it affects.
Since the charity was founded in 1989, we have awarded 161 research grants. The total value of our investment in vital scientific research is over £19.1 million (€24.7 million).
We take action that benefits people directly, including training health professionals and providing support and information services.
£160/€190/$214 decodes the genetic information in a sample of meningococcal bacteria. This information has helped us track new forms of meningitis and campaign to introduce new vaccines to protect people.