Gemma Lessells (31), of Lothian Court, is supporting the Meningitis Research Foundation’s ‘Where’s Our Vaccine?’ campaign to introduce a life-saving vaccine, because “no child should die from a vaccine-preventable illness”.

In July 2010, the Press told you how Gemma’s son, Matthew, contacted meningitis aged 13½ months and suddenly went limp and blue-lipped in his terrified mum’s arms.

He was rushed to the Victoria Hospital, with a temperature of 40.9ºC on admission and a heart rate of 210 – when it should have only been 120.

When he was diagnosed with meningitis after 48 hours, Gemma and husband Thomas were stunned because they thought Matthew had already been immunised against the disease – but the strain he contracted, meningitis B (MenB), then had no known vaccine.

In March 2014, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommended a programme for use of the Bexsero MenB vaccine, subject to a cost-effective price being agreed between manufacturers Novartis and the Department of Health.

Negotiations have been under way since last summer but there is still no date for its introduction.

This week, Gemma told the Press, “It’s 2015 – no child should die from a vaccine-preventable illness.

“The horrific experience of Matthew being in hospital and as ill as he was made me think that no parent should have to go through that.

“Collapsing saved his life. I can’t even think about what would have happened if I had just put him back to bed that night.

“He was hanging by a thread and at death’s door – I have never seen anyone that sick and hope I never have to see that again.

“Meningitis B is the most common and prevalent strain and can kill in hours – sometimes just four hours from symptoms to death.

“I’m much more on top of what to look out for now but every time he gets sick or has a temperature, I completely freak out. It’s very rare for people to have it more than once in their lifetime but it does happen.” Inverkeithing Primary pupil Matthew, now five, is a “typical wee boy” and Gemma said the family has been “incredibly lucky”.

She added, “Matthew survived the illness with relatively few side effects. He has delayed expressive speech and suffered night terrors following his hospital stay. “We are also in the process of discussing possible behavioural side effects with his health visitor but other than that we have a gorgeous, healthy, happy boy with a laugh that lights up a room.” Dunfermline MP Thomas Docherty is backing the campaign and called Matthew an “inspiration”.

The Labour MP said, “What happened to him is hugely frightening and what has been amazing has been his recovery and the commitment that Gemma has put in to ensure no other West Fife family goes through that nightmare. My son is a similar age to Matthew and as a parent I can’t imagine what it would be like. We’re talking about children’s lives here – you can’t put a price on a child’s life.

“If you add up how much it costs to the NHS or Fife Council to treat meningitis then I think there’s a compelling argument – it’s cheaper to give the vaccine in the first instance than treatment down the road.” A Department of Health spokesperson said, “We are very clear that we want to see this vaccine introduced as soon as possible to help protect children from this devastating disease.

“The JCVI recommended that a MenB vaccine be introduced but only at a cost-effective price — below the price published by Novartis.

“We need to make sure NHS funds are used effectively and negotiations are continuing.”