NHS to offer second MenB vaccine after deadly Kent outbreak
NHS to offer second MenB vaccine after deadly Kent outbreak
Expanded vaccination drive targets those exposed to meningitis B strain
Nearly 12,000 individuals who received meningitis B vaccinations following a recent outbreak in Kent will now get a second dose, starting next week. The initiative follows the tragic loss of two lives and the confirmation of 19 additional cases. The initial vaccine rollout focused on people potentially exposed to the disease, such as university students and school pupils in the region.
Public health officials emphasized that two doses are essential for full protection. Clinics in Canterbury, Faversham, and Ashford will be open for appointments, with an online system allowing those eligible to book slots. Students from university residences in Kent and attendees of a nightclub linked to the outbreak were among the prioritized groups.
Outbreak deemed “unprecedented” by Health Secretary
Health Secretary Wes Streeting labeled the meningitis B outbreak as “unprecedented” due to its rapid spread. A 21-year-old university student, whose identity remains private, and sixth form pupil Juliette Kenny both succumbed to the infection. Over a dozen others required hospitalization for treatment.
“The outbreak has been unprecedented, with so many people infected in a short time frame,” said Health Secretary Wes Streeting.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) activated a national incident response to streamline resource distribution, including antibiotics. Initially, the vaccination campaign targeted students in Kent’s university halls, later expanding to patrons of the nightclub where the outbreak began. Other sixth form students at schools with confirmed cases were also included.
Preventative measures and vaccine history
Preventative antibiotics were distributed to a broader group, leading to long lines at the University of Kent over several days. The routine MenB vaccination program for infants and young children was launched in 2015, but UK advisers decided against a catch-up campaign for teenagers, citing cost-effectiveness concerns.
Teenagers have traditionally received the MenACWY vaccine, which guards against four bacterial strains causing meningitis but excludes MenB. The recent outbreak prompted Streeting to commission a review of this decision by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
