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A leading health expert says one vaccine could protect teenagers from a disease that kills around 35,000 annually

Parents and teenagers are being urged not to ignore one potentially life-saving vaccine after new recommendations from government advisers. A leading doctor says the jab could protect young people from a disease capable of causing life-changing complications within hours.

The appeal comes after Dr Tom Nutt, chief executive of the meningitis charity Meningitis Now, appeared on Sky News to discuss new recommendations from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The expert committee has advised that all teenagers should routinely be offered a meningitis B (MenB) vaccine at around the age of 15, subject to government approval.

Speaking to presenter Leah Boleto, Dr Nutt stressed the importance of encouraging young people to come forward for vaccination despite the spread of misinformation online. He said: "It's really important that people know that the vaccine is safe and that it's effective."

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Dr Nutt acknowledged that no vaccine offers complete protection but said the MenB jab could dramatically reduce the risk of severe disease. "This is a vaccine that could save your life," he said.

He added that meningitis can have devastating consequences, including amputations, brain injury, sensory impairment and psychological trauma. Dr Nutt urged parents and young people to consider the vaccine, saying: "For the sake of a couple of doses of vaccination, I think it's well worth protecting a young and a precious life."

The JCVI recommendation follows several meningococcal B outbreaks in England, including cases in Kent and Reading, which prompted ministers to ask advisers to review the UK's vaccination programme. According to the committee, adolescents face an increased risk of invasive meningococcal disease during their teenage years and early adulthood.

Under the recommendation, teenagers born on or after 1 May 2015 who received the MenB vaccine as babies would be offered a single booster dose at around the age of 15. Those who did not receive the infant vaccine, including older teenagers, would be offered two doses under proposed routine and catch-up programmes if ministers approve the advice.

According to the UK Health Security Agency, invasive meningococcal disease is rare but can become life-threatening very quickly. Early symptoms can resemble flu before progressing to meningitis or sepsis, making prompt medical attention essential.

The Department of Health and Social Care will now consider the JCVI's recommendations before deciding whether to make changes to the NHS vaccination schedule. In the meantime, eligible young people are being encouraged to take up existing MenB vaccine offers where available.