County Durham student makes meningitis plea ahead of Freshers Week
20-year-old Lyndon Longhorne contracted the infection as a baby - and can't believe people are skipping the life-saving vaccination.
A County Durham student who lost his limbs to meningitis is urging freshers to get vaccinated before heading to university.
20-year-old Lyndon Longhorne contracted the disease when he was a baby and can't believe people are skipping the life-saving vaccine.　
Latest figures show the number of vaccinated 18-year-olds in most of the North East is below the national average.
In Darlington, less than one in ten 18-year-olds have been vaccinated and in Newcastle, it's as low as 8%.
Northumbria Uni student Lyndon said:
"Not many students are getting the vaccine to protect themselves and you just think I've gone through it and you have the option to get it.
"If I did have the option to get the vaccine myself, I would have happily taken it.　
"It's frustrating because you spend a lot of time and effort going around schools, colleges and universities, just pushing it and pushing it.
"You think well why do I bother sometimes, but I do still fight for it."
Now Public Health England North East want students to make sure they're vaccinated against the deadly disease.
It's only the second year the vaccination has been offered.
Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at PHE, said: "It’s only a month since we first made our appeal to these teenagers, so we know many will still be making arrangements to get vaccinated. But I strongly urge those who haven’t done so to get their injection now. If you’re not registered with a GP yet at university, get registered and get your jab."
Linda Glennie, Head of Research at Meningitis Research Foundation, said: "In the first few days of university, exposure to the bacteria that cause meningitis increases dramatically. It is vital that new students get this vaccine now to protect themselves and to stop the spread to others."
Liz Brown, CEO at Meningitis Now, said: "Recognising that students are about to move their universities of choice means that their chances of getting vaccinated at their home GP may be lost - this doesn’t mean they should forget about it. The vaccine is available via the university health service, it’s still free and it should be a priority. I would call on young people not to miss out on a vaccine that could save their life."
If you want more information about the vaccines, visit the NHS website HERE.