Meningitis B vaccine: Parents release photo of dying son

The parents of a boy who died after contracting meningitis B have released a photo of his final moments to raise awareness of vaccination.

Mason Timmins, seven, from Walsall, was sick a fortnight before Christmas 2013 and died the same day.

His parents Clare and Mark have now decided to share the photos to help raise awareness about the condition.

They said many people were unaware of differing vaccines for different strains of meningitis.

"Don't just look for the rash. Mason didn't have the rash even when he died," they said.

A petition for all children to be vaccinated against meningitis B, rather than just babies, has become the most-signed on the government's website, external.

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Mason's parents decided to share the photo after a campaign started by the mother of Faye Burdett, from Kent, who died of the disease on Valentine's Day.

A photo of the two-year-old covered in a rash from the infection was widely shared on social media.

This triggered former England rugby union captain Matt Dawson to also share pictures of his two-year-old son battling meningitis to raise awareness of the need for protection for all children.

Clare Timmins said: "He [Mason] woke up about six thirty in the morning and was just sick. He spent the day on the settee."

At the time she thought it was a sickness bug and later that day took him to a GP surgery as he had a high temperature.

On arrival at the surgery Mason lost consciousness and was first taken to Walsall Manor Hospital, where he was put on a life support machine before being transferred to the Royal Stoke University Hospital for specialist treatment.

"By the time we arrived they [doctors] said the meningitis had already attacked his brain and he was clinically brain dead," said Mrs Timmins.

Mason was protected against meningitis C but died after contracting meningitis B.

Clare and Mark said parents were unaware of the different vaccines for different types of meningitis and added: "If there is any doubt, just call 999 or go to A&E."