Meningococcal teen's mum: 'We did all the right things'

The family of a Wellington teenager who died of meningococcal disease says they didn't know a vaccine was available. Photo / Thinkstock

The family of a Wellington teenager who died of meningococcal disease says there needs to be greater awareness of the existence of vaccinations against the disease.

The call comes as a vaccination programme has been launched in Northland this week, and a number of cases have been recorded across the country.

Northland had its third death from the disease, when an 82-year-old woman admitted to Whangarei Hospital last Thursday died later that evening.

The mother of a teenager who died earlier this year from the disease has described hearing of the new cases as "terrible".

Sarah Lake's 19-year-old daughter Penelope died in April from the meningococcal C after suffering from flu-type symptoms.

Mrs Lake told Fairfax Media the family took Penelope to an after-hours clinic in Newton, and was then taken to Wellington Hospital, where she died that night.

She did not know a vaccine was available.

"We did all the right things," Mrs Lake said. "It just works so fast."

There have been 11 cases of meningococcal disease in the Wellington region this year, the latest a baby who was hospitalised on Friday with the disease.

Deputy director of health Darren Hunt told Newstalk ZB vaccinations are affective at stopping the spread of the disease.

"The vaccines for meningitis are pretty good in outbreaks," he said.

However unlike vaccinations, the one used to combat meningitis does not last forever, rather only lasts three or four years, Mr Hunt said.

While in Northland there have been several cases of the type C strain of the disease, in Wellington all different strains have struck victims.

The B strain, which is the most common, does not yet have a vaccine, Mr Hunt said.

"Meningococcal disease is a pretty devastating illness so it is always a concern when hear of cases."

Symptoms can include stiff neck, painful limbs, bad headache, vomiting, fever, drowsiness, a baby refusing feeds, and a rash.

Urgent medical care should be sought for suspected meningococcal disease, which is readily treated with antibiotics if detected early.

- Herald Online staff