• Important notices
  • Awareness

What’s happening?

  • There is currently an outbreak of meningococcal disease (MenB) in Kent.
  • UKHSA is working to contain the outbreak and is giving prophylaxis antibiotics to close contacts
  • The vaccination programme may be expanded further as UKHSA continues to assess any ongoing risk to other populations, but no new advice has been issued as yet.

What is meningococcal disease?

Meningococcal disease is a serious but uncommon illness caused by meningococcal bacteria. It can lead to meningitis - inflammation of the lining of the brain - and sepsis (blood poisoning). The onset can be sudden, which is why knowing the signs and symptoms, and acting quickly, is so important. There are multiple strains of meningococcal bacteria - MenA, MenB, MenC, MenW, MenX, MenY.

Know the symptoms of meningitis

Seek urgent medical help if you notice:

  • Rash that doesn’t fade with pressure
  • High fever
  • Severe headache
  • Stiff neck
  • Vomiting
  • Cold hands or feet
  • Confusion

How is the disease spread?

Transmission of MenB requires close and prolonged contact to spread including living in the same household and intimate contact such as kissing or sharing drinks or vapes.

Who is being offered the MenB vaccine?

A targeted vaccination programme is being introduced in direct response to this outbreak. Vaccination will begin with students living in Canterbury Campus Halls of Residence at the University of Kent.

The vaccination programme may be expanded as UKHSA continues to assess the risk to other groups, and further advice on additional cohorts will be provided in the coming days. There are sufficient MenB vaccine stocks and we are working with local partners to ensure effective distribution to those who need it.

Would you advise people to pay for a vaccine now?

All the necessary preventative measures are being taken at this stage and the key action to follow is to take preventative antibiotics if you are offered. We are keeping the vaccination offer under review.

What is the risk to the wider public?

The risk of infection to the wider population remains low but we are actively looking for contacts of people who have MenB (contact tracing) and offering preventative antibiotics to those in close contact with cases.

Keep up to date by visiting the UKHSA website.

Who decides vaccine recommendations?

  • All vaccine recommendations in the UK are monitored and decided by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
  • The JCVI reviews all cases of vaccine preventable disease, national data, and emerging risks.
  • Currently, there are no plans to offer the MenB vaccine outside of the routine infant schedule.

What protection does my secondary aged child already have?

  • Children and young people born before 2015 wont have been offered the Meningitis B vaccine on the NHS
  • They would have been offered a dose of Hib/ MenC at the age of one
  • They will have been offeredthe MenACWY vaccine in year 9 (aged 13 or 14)
  • MenACWY provides protection during the later school years and into further education/ college
  • Since the introduction of MenACWY we have seen a decrease in the number of cases of meningococcal disease linked to strains A C W and Y

How does the MenB vaccine work? 

The MenB vaccine helps protect individuals from becoming seriously ill with meningococcal B disease. It works by helping the immune system recognise and fight the MenB bacteria if you come into contact with it.

It is important to know that the MenB vaccine does not protect against all strains of meningococcal disease, nor against all infections that can cause meningitis. It also differs from the MenACWY vaccine in that it does not prevent the bacteria from being carried and spread in the community, and so it is important that everyone who is offered the vaccine takes it to protect themselves from becoming seriously ill.

The MenB vaccine was added to the NHS immunisation schedule for infants in 2015, providing protection for babies and young children in the UK. It is separate from the MenACWY.

If you are a teenager or young adult born before 1 May 2015, you will not have received the MenB vaccine as part of the NHS schedule

What about the MenACWY vaccine – does that protect me in this outbreak? 

The MenACWY vaccine, which is routinely offered to teenagers in school Years 9 and 10, provides good protection against several strains of meningococcal disease. However, it does not protect against MenB. This is why it is important for everyone - regardless of vaccination status - to be aware of the signs and symptoms and seek help urgently if they are concerned. 

What you can do currently?

We recommend that you check your child’s vaccine history.

We are encouraging parents of young people to proactively check their child's vaccination history and ensure they are fully up to date with the UK schedule, especially their year 9 vaccines.

You can check your child’s vaccination record by:

  • Looking in your child’s Red Book
  • Asking your GP surgery
  • Looking for emails from Cinnamon Digital (school e consent system)
  • Checking your child’s vaccination history on the NHS App

If your child is of secondary school age, and any vaccines are missing, please contact your local Berkshire Healthcare School Immunisation Team to book a school or clinic appointment: