The family of a teenage girl who died from meningitis has spoken out after her condition deteriorated with devastating speed, just 12 hours after the first signs of illness appeared.
Juliette Kenny, 18, passed away on March 14, having been in perfect health only days earlier.
The year 13 pupil at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School in Faversham had completed her PE A-level practical assessment merely two days before falling ill.
Her father, Michael Kenny, 46, first noticed something was wrong when his daughter was sick during the early hours of March 13.
Juliette's dad says preventable tragedies must end
|PA / HANDOUT
A discolouration subsequently appeared on her cheeks, prompting the family to seek medical attention at a local emergency drop-in centre.
Despite receiving antibiotics and being transferred to A&E by ambulance, the disease proved fatal before the day was out.
Mr Kenny described his daughter as possessing "beautifully positive energy" and said she "spread fun, love and happiness to those around her".
"Juliette fought bravely for hours, but despite the fantastic NHS hospital staff fighting alongside her, meningitis took her from us less than 12 hours later," he said.
"We were with her at the end, and the last sounds that she heard were the voices of those who loved her telling her how very much loved and cherished she is."
The family, including mother Rebecca, 49, and older sister Florence, 20, have spoken of their profound grief.
"The devastation of her loss to us, her family and friends is immeasurable," Mr Kenny stated.
Her grandmother, Linda Kenny, told reporters she could barely speak without breaking down in tears, adding that the entire family had been placed on antibiotics following Juliette's death.
The Kenny family has now joined forces with the Meningitis Research Foundation to demand urgent government intervention on vaccine accessibility.
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Mr Kenny stressed that preventable tragedies must end: "No family should experience this pain and tragedy. This can be avoided. There are young people currently battling this, and young people still at risk."
He added: "Juliette's impact on this world must be a lasting change. Now is the time to ensure families are safe from the impact of meningitis B."
The family had been unaware that the menB vaccination is not routinely offered on the NHS for teenagers and young adults, requiring private payment instead.
The jab was introduced for infants in 2015, leaving most young people born before that date unprotected unless their families paid for private immunisation.
Vinny Smith, chief executive of the Meningitis Research Foundation, criticised the 2015 decision that rejected extending NHS coverage to older age groups on cost-effectiveness grounds.
"Our concern, then and now, is that this has not fully reflected the impact of menB or the full value protection from what a vaccine brings," he said.
Mr Smith argued the assessment failed to account for the disease's severity, lifelong disabilities, and the trauma inflicted upon bereaved families.
Juliette Kenny had been in perfect health days before her death
|PA / HANDOUT
"We believe the UK Government can decide now to save lives and limit the lifelong disabilities caused by meningitis, protecting people for generations to come," he added.
Meanwhile, Khali Goodwin, whose daughter Keeleigh is recovering from meningitis contracted during the Kent outbreak, told GB News she was desperately seeking private vaccination for her other child.
"It's a lot of money, but if we have to go without for a while, then we'll just have to go without," she said.
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