The UK government has expanded meningitis B vaccination eligibility in Kent following a rise in cases to 27, with seven new infections confirmed. Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced that anyone who attended Club Chemistry nightclub in Canterbury between 5 and 15 March should seek antibiotics and vaccination.
The move extends vaccination to all individuals previously offered prophylactic antibiotics, including students at the University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University, as well as sixth formers at four schools with confirmed or suspected cases. The University of Kent confirmed all students and staff are now eligible.
Professor Susan Hopkins, chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), stated: 'By extending the vaccination programme to everyone who has been offered preventive antibiotics, we are taking an important additional step to protect those most likely to have been exposed.' The UKHSA added that others may be offered the jab on a case-by-case basis.
Officials believe the strategy of antibiotics and targeted vaccination is proving effective, as the outbreak involves a known strain of meningitis B. However, the reason for the outbreak's size remains unclear. Professor Robin May, UKHSA chief scientific officer, suggested possible factors include behavioural patterns or bacterial evolution.
To date, 600 meningitis B vaccines have been administered at the University of Kent's Canterbury campus, with over 6,500 precautionary antibiotic doses issued. One school pupil and one university student have died. Additional vaccination centres are opening across Kent, including at Faversham health centre, Vicarage Lane clinic in Ashford, and the University of Kent.
The UKHSA has issued an alert to the wider NHS about meningitis symptoms but stressed this does not indicate nationwide spread. Meningitis B, caused by Neisseria meningitidis bacteria, can be life-threatening if it enters the blood or spinal fluid, but prompt antibiotic treatment is crucial.
