Our daughter battled Meningitis B despite being vaccinated in 'very rare' case
Since her battle with meningitis, Emma has noted that Noa-Rose has become "a different child."
The vivid memories of holding their "lifeless" daughter and witnessing the fear in the doctor's eyes remain fresh for Noa-Rose's parents. After falling critically ill in December 2022, the four-year-old fought for her life for two weeks in the high dependency ward.
Despite being fully vaccinated, Noa-Rose contracted meningococcal type B meningitis.
Esme Lee from the charity Meningitis Now emphasized the unfortunate nature of Noa-Rose's case, categorizing it as "very, very rare." Since the introduction of the vaccine in 2015, cases have dropped by 75% among vaccinated infants.
Her parents, residing in Blackwood, Caerphilly county, recounted how MenB was not diagnosed immediately and cautioned others to remain vigilant for symptoms such as high fever and vomiting.
"She was so unwell that doctors were trying to stabilize her in front of us," recalled Emma Alderman, mother of four. In that moment, she remembers screaming as Noa-Rose's breathing altered. Father Scott added, "I think they [the doctors] realized then that she was really, really ill. The mood shifted dramatically, and you could see she was fighting for her life, and there was nothing we could do about it. It was just like, 'What is happening here?' It was undoubtedly the worst experience of my life."
Emma asserts that while the vaccine may not provide total immunity, it substantially lessens the severity of the disease. "I can say with confidence that if Noa-Rose hadn't received the vaccinations, we wouldn't have her with us now, and we would have lost her," she stated.
The ordeal began on what appeared to be a typical Saturday after Noa-Rose had enjoyed a visit to the park with her father. Shortly thereafter, she complained of leg pain, which Emma assumed was due to growing pains, prompting her to run a bath.
"As soon as the water touched her, she cried out in pain and discomfort, so we let her sleep on the sofa," Emma explained.
Soon after, a rash spread over her body, and her temperature soared to 40°C, indicating a severe fever.
Her parents sought medical attention at Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil. However, doctors initially suspected scarlet fever or Strep A and sent her home, according to her parents. Her condition rapidly deteriorated during the night; she began vomiting and eventually became unresponsive. Suspecting sepsis, her parents rushed her back to the hospital, where a lumbar puncture confirmed she had MenB.
What is Meningitis B?
Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes encasing the brain and spinal cord and is caused by various pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The predominant bacterial strains are meningococcal types A, B, C, W, X, and Y.
Data from the past year indicates that MenB infections comprised 82.6% (313 of 378) of total cases, according to UK government figures. Infants are particularly vulnerable to MenB as their immune systems lack sufficient antibody protection, with the disease being uncommon in individuals over four years of age.
Consequently, the MenB vaccine is administered to babies in three doses as part of the NHS immunization program at eight weeks, 12 weeks, and one year. Adolescents are more likely to carry the bacteria in their throats, which accounts for a second, smaller peak of the disease in that demographic. A Welsh student tragically lost their life after contracting the disease at Bournemouth University last year, while two individuals died following an outbreak in Kent earlier this month.
Noa-Rose requires ongoing medical treatment to manage her condition. Now seven years old, she is among the one in five survivors who endure life-altering effects such as epilepsy, fatigue, and developmental delays.
"She's a different child," Emma expressed. "Overnight, I've transitioned from being a parent to a caregiver, grappling with a multitude of worries and concerns. Every time we attend a hospital appointment, we receive new information. It's an entirely new level of anxiety."
Emma noted the significant impact on Noa-Rose's life: "She's having to mature rapidly due to her medical needs, and I frequently discuss this with her consultants. This aspect is particularly challenging for her because she simply wants to experience childhood."
As an ambassador for Meningitis Now, Emma urges parents to recognize the symptoms of meningitis, which can present abruptly and escalate quickly, including high fever, severe headache, and vomiting.
She illustrated how a child can change from being "perfectly healthy, happy, and active to confronting a critical situation in a matter of hours."
The MenB vaccine was incorporated into the UK NHS childhood immunization schedule for babies born on or after 1 July 2015. Young infants are prioritized for vaccination due to their increased vulnerability to severe infections and their reduced capacity to combat them. The vaccine is administered at eight weeks and 12 weeks, with a booster at one year—Emma confirmed that Noa-Rose received all recommended doses.
Emma advocates for the expansion of the vaccine's availability to teenagers throughout the UK, describing a recent outbreak in Kent as "heart-shattering." She concluded, "I empathize with their experiences and understand the fear they are enduring."
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