Aaron Mills, an 18-year-old football fan and university student, died just five days after telling his mother he had a headache. The cause was meningococcal group B (MenB) meningitis, a bacterial infection that can be fatal within hours.
Sudden Onset and Rapid Decline
Aaron, a first-year football science student at Liverpool John Moores University, had returned home to Kidderminster, England, for the Christmas break. On December 29, he felt groggy after surprising his father Anthony at his 50th birthday party. The next morning, he complained of a headache and took paracetamol. Within 30 minutes, he suffered a seizure and was rushed to hospital.
Doctors diagnosed MenB meningitis, and despite intensive care, Aaron died on January 3. His father Anthony said: "There were no warning signs that something was serious. We didn’t stand a chance. It went from a headache to a seizure, and he never recovered from that seizure."
Vaccination Gap and Government Response
Aaron had received the MenACWY vaccine offered in schools but not the MenB vaccine, which is not routinely given to young people. After a meningitis outbreak in Kent earlier this year, his father lobbied MPs and secured a meeting with Health Minister Sharon Hodgson. The government subsequently agreed to offer the MenB vaccine this summer to Year 13 students and under-25s starting university or entering residential further education.
Legacy and Charity Run
In Aaron's memory, his organs were donated, and around 300 people attended his funeral wearing Liverpool FC tops. His local team, Kidderminster Harriers, honored him with a standing applause in the 18th minute and presented a signed shirt.
A 100-mile charity run is planned from September 16-20, starting at Aggborough Stadium in Kidderminster and ending at Anfield, Liverpool's stadium. Family friend Shaun McEntee will run the entire distance, with others joining segments. The route will pass Byrom Point, Aaron's student halls, where staff and students will join the final leg.
Anthony Mills described his son: "He was my best friend. My dancing buddy, my singing buddy, my football buddy. Liverpool Football Club, he was just crazy about it. It was his religion."
