Mother urges Scottish students to get MenB vaccine

A mother whose son nearly died from meningitis is urging young people across Scotland to get vaccinated as a new immunization program is rolled out ahead of the upcoming academic year. Gaynor Simpson's son, Ross, was an 18-year-old first-year computing science student at the University of Glasgow when he fell critically ill in 2023.

Ross initially felt unwell with a headache and no appetite, prompting him to return home. Within hours, his condition deteriorated rapidly. He developed an excruciating headache, a stiff neck, sensitivity to light, a spreading rash, and began vomiting. His mother, recognizing potential meningitis symptoms, drove him to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. There, Ross was quickly admitted and placed on intravenous antibiotics. His condition worsened, and he became unresponsive, showing signs of sepsis. He was moved to intensive care and placed on life support.

A lumbar puncture confirmed he had meningococcal group B bacterial meningitis. Medical staff warned his family that his survival was uncertain. Ross spent five days on life support and a total of ten days in intensive care before beginning a long recovery. His mother later learned he had...