Students at the University of Kent's Canterbury campus will be offered targeted meningitis B vaccinations after two more cases were confirmed in a deadly outbreak, with pharmacies running out of vaccine doses. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed that two people who died had bacterial strain B of the disease, for which most people over 10 are unvaccinated.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting described the outbreak as unprecedented and rapidly developing in a Commons update. The UKHSA has launched a small vaccination programme for students living in Canterbury campus halls of residence, which may be expanded. MenB vaccines have only been given to young children on the NHS since 2015, leaving older individuals vulnerable unless privately vaccinated.
The number of confirmed cases has risen from 13 to 15, with four involving meningitis B, including the two deaths. The remaining 11 cases are under investigation. Streeting noted that French health authorities alerted the UK to a second confirmed case in France involving a University of Kent student. Another affected student travelled to London and fell ill there.
Experts are calling the outbreak a 'super-spreader' event, with the UKHSA treating it as a national incident. Pharmacies are urging an NHS catchup vaccination programme for those born before 2015, as private supplies dwindle. Dr Leyla Hannbeck of the Independent Pharmacies Association said pharmacies in Kent are seeing a surge in demand but some are out of stock, calling for a national pharmacy-led programme.
Private MenB vaccinations cost £100-£120 per dose, with a full course around £200-£240. A year 13 pupil in Faversham and a University of Kent student have died, with others hospitalised. The UKHSA advises anyone who visited Club Chemistry in Canterbury on 5, 6, or 7 March to seek preventive antibiotics. Deputy director Gayatri Amirthalingam urged young people to take up antibiotic offers, saying it is safe for them to return home after treatment.
