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After daughter’s sudden death, MI woman campaigns for meningitis B vaccine

Emily Stillman photo
http://www.foreveremily.org/
Emily Stillman died in 2013 after contracting bacterial meningitis.

Federal health authorities appear to be getting close to approving a vaccine against potentially fatal Meningitis B. In 2013, the disorder made national news after outbreaks at two U.S. universities with around ten confirmed cases. None were fatal.A vaccine for three key strains of bacterial meningitis has been available in the United States for years. But for scientific and other reasons, it’s taken longer to develop and approve a vaccine for Meningitis B.

Alicia Stillman has been active in the fight against this disease since it claimed the life of her 19-year old daughter in 2013 while she was attending Kalamazoo College. She has since created a foundation that works to raise awareness and fight the disease. Next week, Alicia Stillman will appear before a CDC immunization panel, where she will urge approval of a recently developed Meningitis B vaccine.

Current State talks with Alicia Stillman about her support for such a vaccine.

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