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Morgan's Memory lives on
Tragedy-hit family back meningitis baby jabs
By Jane Lavender
Tragic little Morgan Leyland
THE FAMILY of a toddler who died from meningitis has welcomed plans to vaccinate babies against the potentially fatal virus.
Starting on Monday, a new jab, which helps to protect youngsters from pneumococcal meningitis, septicaemia and pneumonia, will be routinely given to babies when they are two months, four months and 13 months old.
Children under two who have already started their vaccinations will also be eligible for the injection under a "catch-up" programme.
Morgan Leyland died from meningitis, aged three, just weeks after returning from a family holiday in Spain almost four years ago.
In a tragic twist her mother, Sharon, died less than two years later when she fell from a balcony in a freak accident while on holiday with family and friends in the Dominican Republic.
Morgan's aunt, Wendy Walsh, aged 39, of Westhoughton, said: "While this new jab doesn't wipe out this form meningitis, it does greatly reduce the risk.
"I wouldn't want any other families to go through what we've been through so anything parents can do to stop it, I would strongly urge them to."
While Morgan died from the meningococcal form of meningitis, which the vaccine does not protect against, her family are confident this latest medical stride forward could one day lead to a jab for all strains of the virus.
Morgan's little sister, Morgan Louise, aged three, has already had the new vaccine after the family decided to pay privately.
Parents Sharon and Robert took Morgan to a GP in October, 2002, from their home in Crawford Avenue, Darcy Lever, after realising she was unwell.
But they say they were told she was suffering from a minor virus.
Ten hours later, she had died in the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital in Pendlebury from meningitis.
Mrs Walsh said: "Even though the vaccine wouldn't have saved Morgan, anything that is done to raise awareness of meningitis is welcome. It is brilliant news that a vaccine has been developed."
Parents will be contacted by their family doctor to make an appointment for the jabs. Further information is available online at www.immunisation.nhs.uk
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