Meningitis B Outbreak (Kent)

What’s happening?

There is a meningococcal disease outbreak in Kent. Please be reassured there is no outbreak in our area.

UKHSA is working to contain the outbreak and is giving prophylaxis antibiotics to close contacts.

No new advice has been issued about accessing the Meningitis B vaccine, known as MenB, for the wider public.

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.

MenB vaccine

The MenB vaccine offers protection against meningococcal group B bacteria, which are a common cause of meningitis in young children in the UK.

The vaccine is recommended for babies aged 8 weeks, followed by a second dose at 12 weeks and a booster at 1 year.  Please ensure your children are up to date with the routine UK schedule this can be found in your red book or on the NHS website. https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/nhs-vaccinations-and-when-to-have-them/

What protection does my secondary aged child already have?

Children receive Hib/MenC at 1 year of age, which provides early protection.

In Year 9, young people are offered the MenACWY vaccine.

MenACWY provides protection during the later school years and into work/college/university, where risk is higher.

This means most secondary school aged children already have strong protection against the meningococcal strains of greatest concern in teens and young adults.

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.

Make sure your child is up to date with:

MenACWY (Year 9)

Td/IPV booster (Year 9)

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