Nuneaton MP Marcus Jones, who was once suspected of having Meningitis when he was 8, is backing a charity’s call to end delays and introduce a vaccine to protect babies against Meningitis B as soon as possible.

Marcus recently attended an event with leading charity Meningitis Now, to discuss the impact meningitis has in the UK and meet families affected by the disease.

The UK has one of the world’s highest Meningitis B rates and it kills more of the country’s under-fives than any other infectious disease.

Meningitis Now said there have been 1,000 cases of meningococcal group B disease (Men B) since the new vaccine Bexsero received its licence in January 2013 – yet the vaccine still hasn’t been given to babies.

Of these cases, around 400 people will have died or suffered disabilities, which cost the NHS over a lifetime. Back in March, the Government said the vaccine would be given free to babies up to age one on the NHS, subject to price negotiations with developer Novartis.

Now the town’s local Member of Parliament is backing the call to finish negotiations and get the vaccine implemented.

Commenting, Marcus said: “It is quite simply imperative that these negotiations with Novartis are completed swiftly so that this crucial vaccine can be given to those who need it. I met with Meningitis Now in Westminster to discuss their campaign, and I am pleased to give it my support.”

The UK’s largest meningitis charity launched Beat it Now! to unite supporters to call for the vaccine.

The campaign, which saw a 36,500-name petition delivered to Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, now focuses on speeding up negotiations.

To join Beat it Now! or for more information visit www.MeningitisNow.org.