A Marlow family has hailed the “fantastic” news that a vaccine they have been fighting for since the death of their youngest son eight years ago will now be introduced.

Richard and Judi Mills have fought to get all children immunised against Meningitis B after 11-year-old Harry died from the disease in 2007.

Despite government advisors recommending a year ago that a vaccine should rolled out nationwide, the NHS had failed to agree a deal to buy the jab.

But after a breakthrough with manufacturers, the Government this week announced it will now be introduced as early as this year for all babies born in the UK.

The Mills family, who worked tirelessly to raise over £120,000 in Harry’s memory, say the immunisation should prevent hundreds of families suffering the heartache of losing a child.

Mr Mills said: “It’s finally happened and it’s fantastic. It will hopefully save many lives.

“This is great for Harry’s legacy and for the people that helped raise all that money, it’s what we and they wanted.

“It’s been eight years since Harry’s death, it doesn’t seem like it. All that effort has definitely been worth it.

“It could not save Harry but it gives the whole situation a degree of sense.”

There are estimated to be around 3,200 cases of meningitis and septicaemia every year in the UK, with around one in ten proving fatal and a third of victims left with after-effects.

The jab will immunise against the type B strain, which is single largest cause of meningitis in the UK.

Sports mad Harry, an avid rugby fan who played for Marlow under 12s, was healthy and happy until contracting the disease, which took his life in less than a day.

Well known to many in Marlow and the surrounding areas, the Mills family have held a series of fundraisers for Harry’s Fund, especially reflecting Harry’s love for sport.

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt announced the breakthrough on Sunday, and said he was “delighted” to be able to strike a deal with pharmaceutical giant Glaxo Smithkline.

Chris Head, chief executive of the Meningitis Research Foundation, praised the Mills family and others like them who have worked hard to bring about change.

He said: “MenB has been at the top of this charity's agenda for decades and we are delighted that vaccinating all babies against this devastating disease is now within sight.

“When this vaccine is finally introduced it will save lives and spare countless families the trauma of seeing a loved one die or become seriously disabled because of MenB.

“The bitter experience of those who have been personally affected has been vital in our campaigning for this vaccine, demonstrating the compelling case for prevention. We pay tribute to them and pledge to continue supporting them.”

However, the charity said it would like to see the immunisation programme extended to teenagers, the second highest ‘at risk’ group.

For more on the Mills' reaction to the news, see this week's Marlow Free Press