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Meningitis vaccine rolled out following fatal outbreak in Kent
Two dose Meningitis B vaccine made available to “young people at highest immediate risk” of contracting the virus following increase in clusters of disease
Meningococcal disease can result in life-changing disabilities including hearing loss, brain damage and amputations, while around 10% of cases can prove fatal
Young people in England and Wales will be offered a two-dose meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine ahead of the 2026 academic year.
It follows a MenB outbreak in Kent earlier this year, which saw 21 confirmed cases and two deaths.
MenB disproportionately affects young adults and teenagers, and the one-off vaccination programme will target year 13 pupils and those under 25 starting university or residential further education this autumn.
Eligible students will need two doses at least four weeks apart; the first will be available from July, and the second dose in August.
James Murray, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said the Kent outbreak indicates “a possible change to the way MenB affects people. While we assess the latest evidence, we are acting now to help protect young people at highest immediate risk as they enter university and residential colleges this autumn.
“By offering 2 doses of the jabs ahead of the academic year, we will help reduce the risk of serious illness and larger outbreaks of this horrendous disease.”
Meningococcal disease is life-threatening and can result in life-changing disabilities including hearing loss, brain damage and amputations. In around 10% of cases, it can be fatal.
It’s caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis and is spread via close contact, like kissing or sharing drinks and vapes, or close proximity, like shared accommodation. First-year university students have a higher relative risk of invasive Men B, with cases peaking in October and November.
“While MenB outbreaks are uncommon, when they occur, they can be devastating as recent outbreaks have sadly shown,” said Dr Shamez Ladhani, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA. “The risk is higher among young people starting university where close and prolonged contact with lots of new people increases the chances of being exposed to the meningococcal bacteria.”
Dr Thomas Waite, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, added: “There has been an increase in clusters of disease this year and so this one-off programme is designed to provide direct protection to those at highest immediate risk.”
“There is still more work to do to ensure everyone at risk is protected… Vaccination remains our best defence against meningitis.”
Dr Tom Nutt, Meningitis Now Chief Executive said, “The programme is a major step forward in the UK’s efforts to prevent meningitis and save lives.” He added: “There is still more work to do to ensure everyone at risk is protected, including those already at university and younger teenagers. Vaccination remains our best defence against meningitis.”
Rachel Flowers, CIEH Public Health Advisory Panel member and academic at London South Bank University chaired the recent CIEH Public Health Protection Conference. She said, “We heard a hugely enlightening session on the MenB outbreak in Kent, how rapidly this disease can spread and the importance of a quick and coordinated response to such outbreaks.”
Flowers said this outbreak “showed what a transmissible, serious, and potentially life-threatening disease MenB is and the importance of contact tracing, the effectiveness of early detection and treatment.
“Vaccination programmes, such as those being rolled out in this case, are proven to be highly effective at protecting individuals but also in reducing spreads in the population, limiting outbreaks.”
