Sonny Bill Williams is encouraging Kiwis to avoid meningococcal disease. Photo / File
Rugby star Sonny Bill Williams has posted a video on YouTube and Facebook urging youngsters to get vaccinated against meningococcal C.
The All Black recorded the personal message as a vaccination programme aimed at Northland youth enters its final week this week.
Williams said he had been involved with a
meningitis charity in Australia since he was 18 and it was a cause close to his heart.
"I've seen kids struggle after getting meningitis, they've lost arms and legs and even gone deaf - so this is about awareness. I'm proud to say I'm supporting this campaign. You think it couldn't happen to you but it does. It's such a nasty disease, it spreads like wildfire."
In the video he says, "The vaccination is free until December 16 so tell your cuzzies, your whanau to get in there and get that shot. Because, like I've said, it's a really nasty disease and it's pretty serious up in Northland at the moment."
