By Emily Parsons

Last updated at 15:28, Thursday, 24 January 2013

The mother of a teenager who died from meningitis says she is delighted that a vaccine has finally been authorised.

Anne Glendinning

The ground-breaking news came after the European Commission authorised the vaccine Bexsero for use from the age of two months.

Meningitis B disease is a bacterial infection and is the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in the UK.

Seventeen-year-old Sally Glendinning, a pupil at Carlisle’s Richard Rose Central Academy, died of the disease two years ago.

Her mum Anne, 47, of Eden Street, Stanwix, told the News & Star: “It is absolutely brilliant, very good news indeed.”

Novartis has spent two decades developing the vaccine and has confirmed it is working to get it into production as soon as possible.

“They need to get it out there,” Mrs Glendinning continued. “Obviously they will start with a certain age group, and then work up. There are teenagers who need it too, though. This could stop other parents and families going through what we have had to.”

While the news is welcome, Mrs Glendinning admits it will never come soon enough.

She said: “Five years ago this was a distant hope, but I wish it hadn’t been: Sally might have been here if they had had this vaccination five years ago.”

Bexsero is currently being evaluated for potential inclusion on the National Immunisation Programme in the UK.

Steve Dayman, founder of Meningitis UK, said: “This meningitis B vaccine is the most important medical breakthrough in the 30 years since I lost my son to the disease.

“It could save thousands of lives and prevent other parents suffering the same tragedy.”

First published at 15:25, Thursday, 24 January 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk