Vaccination coverage against meningitis B varies significantly across England, according to an analysis of government data. The findings come as health officials urge parents to ensure their children are up to date following an outbreak in Kent that has led to two deaths and 11 hospitalisations.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed that the strain behind the outbreak is meningitis B. The menB vaccine has been offered to babies since 2015, but those currently at university did not receive it. The menACWY vaccine, protecting against four other strains, is offered to teenagers in Year 9.
Data for 2024/25 shows menB coverage for one-year-olds rose to 91%, up from 90.6% the previous year, but remains below the pre-Covid peak of 92.5% in 2019/20. MenACWY coverage for Year 10 students stood at 73% in 2023/24, down from 87% in 2019/20. Local authority data reveals wide variation: menACWY uptake ranges from 65% in London to 83% in the East of England, while menB coverage by 12 months varies from 63% in Hackney to 97% in North Tyneside and East Riding of Yorkshire.
Professor Paul Hunter of the University of East Anglia attributed low coverage to factors including language barriers, culture, and fear of authorities. There were 378 cases of invasive meningococcal disease in 2024/25, with 82% caused by menB.
Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam of UKHSA reassured the public that there is no evidence of wider spread beyond Kent, but stressed the importance of vaccination and awareness of symptoms. In response, charity Meningitis Now and former health minister Helen Whately have called for a catch-up menB vaccination campaign for young people. Pharmacies in Kent report a surge in demand and some are running out of stock, prompting the Independent Pharmacies Association to urge NHS commissioning of a targeted catch-up programme.
