STUDENTS in Chipping Sodbury have received protection against a deadly new strain of meningitis which attacks teenagers.

Year 9 pupils at Chipping Sodbury School have been given the vaccination against meningococcal W (MenW), which was identified in research funded by Thornbury-based charity Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF).

Previously, teenagers were given a vaccine against meningitis C but the MRF-funded Meningococcal Genome Library was instrumental in identifying this new strain and has led to Public Health offering a one off vaccine against meningitis and septicaemia caused by groups A, C W and Y meningococcal bacteria (MenACWY) to 14 to 18-year-olds.

The vaccination programme is being rolled out across South Gloucestershire with teenagers, including sixth formers heading off to university for the first, among those to receive the first batch of the new vaccine. New MRF chief executive Vinny Smith said the rising number of cases of MenW in teens was worrying.

“We are encouraging parents to make sure their children at secondary school are protected against this deadly strain of meningitis and septicaemia,” he said.

“Using MRF’s meningococcal genome library, scientists at Public Health England found a particular strain - ST-11 is particularly alarming because it is striking mainly healthy people across all age groups, with a marked spike amongst teenagers and cases are rising steeply.

“In England and Wales alone, 184 cases were reported from July 2014 to June 2015 compared with just 98 cases for the same time period over the previous years.”

“Adolescents aged between 14 to 18 are more likely to carry meningococcal bacteria than any other age group and offering this ACWY vaccine to all of them should stop the bacteria from being passed on.”

Between 2013 and 2014, MenW accounted to 15 per cent of meningococcal cases compared to one to two per cent in 2008 to 2009, Public Health England have shown.

Chipping Sodbury School head teacher Gareth Millington said: “We are delighted to be able to support this important vaccination initiative to help ensure as many young people as possible are protected against these various types of meningococcal bacteria.”