Oxford News
Henley death sparks calls for meningitis vaccine rollout
Dr Tom Nutt, chief executive of Meningitis Now, told the BBC that young lives are “precious” and we should do “everything” we can to protect them.
He added: “The argument against the introduction of the menB vaccination for teenagers and young adults is actually around cost-effectiveness.
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“The lives of teenagers and young adults are too precious and it is tragic to see yet another death.”
His comments come a day after it was confirmed that Lewis Waters, who attended Henley College in Oxfordshire, had died after contracting Meningitis.
The student was one of three cases reported in the outbreak, which also includes two school pupils in Reading.
Dr Nutt said that it is known that the vaccine is “safe” and “effective”, but added: “The trouble is it’s an expensive vaccine.”
According to the broadcaster, he has called upon the government to consider the wider benefits that could come from rolling the menB vaccination out further.
“Health is an asset that we really must protect,” Dr Nutt said.
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In a social media post shared on Friday, Lewis’ father Sean Waters paid tribute to his son and wrote: “Words simply can’t describe the heartbreak and upset we’re going through.”
He said Lewis developed sepsis “within a few hours of feeling ill”, adding: “He fought hard and was really taken care of by the ICU team, but they just couldn’t save him.”
“We are absolutely devastated,” he added.
He said his son was “funny, sociable and kind-hearted”, and “loved his sisters, friends and family dearly”.
“Life won’t be the same for many of us now that he’s gone.”
On Friday it emerged that the other two patients being treated for meningitis are pupils at separate schools in the area – Reading Blue Coat School and Highdown Secondary School and Sixth Form Centre.
The UKHSA said close contacts have been offered antibiotics as a precaution.
The charity chiefs calls for the vaccine rollout echo that of Freddie van Mierlo, Liberal Democrat MP for Henley and Thame, who said the Government should explore a catch-up vaccination programme.
Currently, anyone born after 2015 has not had the vaccine as it was only offered routinely to babies as part of the NHS childhood vaccination programme since that year.
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Mr van Mierlo told the Press Association: “I think what we need to now look at, given what happened in Kent, and now here in Henley, is a wider catch-up vaccination programme.
“We have a cohort of young, young adults at university and at colleges like this who’ve never been vaccinated against meningitis B, who I think now need to be protected. That’s very clear.
“So, what I’m asking the Government to do is look at procuring a large number of vaccines and rolling that out as soon as possible.”
David Wilson Homes’ The Pavilions, located on Bowlers Close, is now over 95 per cent sold, with just seven homes remaining.
The development offers three and four-bedroom properties designed to suit first-time buyers and growing families.
Helen Lewis, managing director at David Wilson Homes Mercia, said: “We are delighted to announce that we are over 95 per cent sold at The Pavilions and it’s the final opportunity to secure a new home in the community.”
Launched in September 2021, The Pavilions will provide a total of 148 new homes.
The project also includes more than 23 acres of green space, 49 bird and bat boxes, 325 new trees, a wetland meadow, and community allotments.
Ms Lewis added: “We’ve enjoyed great success at the development and it’s been fantastic to see the community take shape.
“We encourage anyone interested in securing a place at The Pavilions to visit our marketing suite to learn more about the properties available.”
More than £750,000 was pledged to support the local area through S106 agreements, including £300,000 for schools and early year education, £186,869 for onsite outdoor sports facilities, and a £34,230 bus infrastructure contribution.
The developer has supported the wider Banbury community through event sponsorships and donations to organisations such as Banbury Men’s Shed and The Let’s Play Project.
All remaining homes are ready to move into, with prices starting from £390,000.
Nearly £38,000 has been donated to Katharine House Hospice in north Oxfordshire over the past 18 months, thanks to recycled metals from cremations at North Oxfordshire Crematorium.
The scheme is part of the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM) Metals Recycling Scheme, which recycles metals with family consent and donates proceeds to charity.
Vanessa Moor, site manager at North Oxfordshire Crematorium, said: “We are incredibly proud to support Katharine House Hospice through our ICCM charity partnership, recognising it as our essential local charity.
“Many people don’t realise that, with a family’s permission, metals recovered following cremation can be recycled to benefit charities supporting local communities.”
The most recent donation of £17,000 brings the total raised for the hospice to £37,982.
Ms Moor said families frequently speak highly of the care and support they have received from Katharine House.
The partnership extends beyond fundraising, with crematorium staff volunteering at the hospice’s events.
Sue Blank, corporate engagement officer at Katharine House Hospice, said: “We are thrilled to have Memoria’s continued support.
“The team at the North Oxfordshire site are a pleasure to work with and are always keen to support the hospice in any way they can, whether through volunteering, raising awareness of our work or through this fantastic recycling scheme.”
Waylands Volvo Oxford, based on Cumnor Hill, is inviting drivers to test drive the new Volvo EX60 during an exclusive event from August 21-23.
Recently named the UK’s most exciting upcoming new car at the What Car? Awards, the fully electric SUV combines Scandinavian design with advanced technology and sustainability.
Simon Bishop, general manager at Waylands Volvo Oxford, said: “We’re delighted to welcome local drivers for an exclusive first look at the new Volvo EX60 here in Oxford.
“This weekend long event is designed to be much more than a standard test drive, giving customers the chance to experience the technology that makes the EX60 so special.
“Whether it’s trying the latest safety features, seeing how straightforward fast charging can be or exploring the capabilities of Google Gemini, we want every visitor to leave feeling excited and confident about driving electric.”
The Volvo EX60 P12 AWD model offers a range of up to 503 miles on a single charge – the longest of any Volvo to date.
It can charge from 10 to 80 per cent in as little as 16 minutes.
Inside, the SUV features a spacious, premium cabin with a dashboard-mounted speaker and four contemporary interiors, all crafted from renewable and recycled materials.
Test drives will be guided by a Volvo specialist, who will demonstrate features such as the 360-degree camera, parking sensors, and driver assistance systems.
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