THE mother of a girl who battled meningitis said it was "heartbreaking" that a vaccination for the disease was now available but at a cost of hundreds of pounds.
Sarah Woods' daughter, Sophie-Jade, was struck down by meningitis when 21 months old.
The disease attacked the 11-year-old's inner ears, leaving her deaf.
Now, her mum Sarah has spoken out after news that the UK's first lifesaving vaccine, Bexsero, for Meningitis B is available but only privately.
Sarah, 31, of Hobart Close, Mickleover, said: "I know there is not a bottomless pit of money but I don't think the whole situation has been taken into consideration.
"The long-term effects and costs of looking after children and their families affected by meningitis is much greater.
"Meningitis is a silent killer. You cannot put a price on your health."
Developers, pharmaceutical giant Novartis, cannot discuss the price it is offering to private clinics, GP and medical services but the NHS list price is £75 per dose.
And youngsters will need between two and four doses, depending on age.
It is unclear when the Government will make a final decision on whether the broad-range vaccine, for babies from two months, should be on the NHS.
Sarah, who has four children, aged three, six, nine and 11, said she had no option but to pay for the vaccinations because she could not bear the thought of seeing any of her other children battling the disease.
Her daughter, Sophie-Jade, now has two cochlear implants – small electronic hearing aids installed inside the ear – which give her a limited sense of hearing.
Sarah said: "It's such a raw topic in my heart, it's so painful. It's very unfair."
Lucy Groves, of Castle Donington, said she also welcomed the news that a vaccine had been developed.
Her five-year-old daughter, Scarlett, contracted meningitis when she was eight months old and was left with scarring.
Lucy, 37, said: "It's fantastic news that a vaccine has been developed but it is very sad that it is only available privately."
She said it was a "discrimination" against people of a lower social class.
"The vaccine will massively reduce the amount of suffering," said Lucy.
"But my long-term hope would be that it would be available on the national vaccine system."
The Independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which advises the Government on vaccinations, delayed a decision to put Bexsero on the NHS earlier this year.
The JCVI said there was insufficient evidence of cost-effectiveness and is reviewing new information on Bexsero.
Meningitis Now founder Steve Dayman, who launched his fight against the deadly disease after losing his baby Spencer to meningitis in 1982, said: "The availability of the lifesaving vaccine in the UK is a watershed moment in the fight against the deadly disease.
"The vaccine is one of the most significant leaps forward in the fight – it's taken decades to develop and stands to save thousands of lives and spare so much misery.
"We welcome that it is now available privately, but believe every parent should have the choice and chance to vaccinate their baby – not just those with means.
"Universal vaccination is the best way to stop the disease."
Meningitis Now, formed after Meningitis UK and Meningitis Trust merged this year, fights the disease on all fronts – funding preventative research, raising awareness and providing support.
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