Oxfordshire Health Authority is urging 15 to 17-year-olds to come forward and have the life-saving vaccination.

Despite a huge campaign to administer the injection across county schools and a major sweep to catch stray teenagers, almost a fifth of the county's youngsters have still not been inoculated with the C strain jab. In a last-ditch attempt to complete the mammoth task, the health authority is now urging the 70,000 remaining teenagers to come forward in a final catch-up clinic. District immunisation co-ordinator Judith Moreton said: "Meningitis is a very real threat, especially to young people aged 15, 16 and 17, which is why we are urging them to come along to the catch-up clinic or contact our hotline."

The deadly brain bug has already left its mark in Oxfordshire. Last year 55 people were struck down with meningitis and one person died.

It is believed that many of those not vaccinated are youngsters who have already left school or college and are difficult to trace.

Others were away from the classroom when the vaccination came round to their school. They were encouraged to go to the final clinic which was held on Thursday at Abingdon College of Further Education in Northcourt Road, Abing- don.

Anyone who could not make the clinic should contact the hotline on 01865 226565.

The meningitis vaccine campaign is part of a massive UK programme to inoculate all children.

Story date: Saturday 05 February

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