You may be aware of the recent outbreak of Meningitis B at a Kent university. This has caused understandable concern for young adults and parents. Below you will find information on the current UKHSA response to the outbreak.

The meningitis B vaccine was brought into routine childhood vaccines from 1st September 2015 onwards. For children born prior to this date they will not have received meningitis B as part of their schedule. There are no current changes to the vaccine schedule advised by public health. If and when that changes, eligible patients will be contacted.

Prophylactic antibiotics are currently being offered to:

  • close contacts of those who are confirmed or suspected to have meningococcal disease
  • students at the University of Kent who are normally resident on the Canterbury Campus, including those who may have now travelled home
    • some staff living or working in these halls of residence have also been offered preventative antibiotics and are eligible for vaccination
  • students who attend other universities in Canterbury, living in halls of residence or off-campus locations where there has been a case, and have been advised to take an antibiotic due to a close contact by UKHSA
  • sixth form students (years 12 and 13) attending a secondary school or sixth form college in Kent where there has been a confirmed or probable case of meningococcal disease informed by local risk assessment
  • anyone who visited or was working at Club Chemistry in Canterbury between 5 March and 15 March, when the venue closed voluntarily 

Those who have been in close contact of any of the above people.

Please contact UKHSA immediately on the number below, or let us know, if you feel you are a close contact and have not been treated.

If you are a close contact please be alert to symptoms of meningococcal disease and septicaemia (including fever, headache, rash, vomiting, limb pain, cold hands/feet, drowsiness or rapid deterioration) and call 999 or attend A&E immediately. We are unable to provide vaccination for meningitis B at this time to those not due this as part of their immunisation schedule. If you have further questions call the UKHSA (UK Health Security Agency) on 03442252861 and select option 5 (option dedicated to meningitis queries).