The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is reviewing the case for expanding routine meningitis B vaccination after a fatal outbreak in Kent. Health Secretary Wes Streeting asked the committee to re-examine eligibility for meningitis vaccines for a wider range of people than currently qualify.
There have been 18 confirmed cases and 11 more under investigation in Kent, with two fatalities. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said initial genetic analysis shows the Bexsero vaccine being offered in Kent should protect against the outbreak strain. Over 4,500 people have been vaccinated, with 10,561 doses administered.
Kent’s director of public health, Dr Anjan Ghosh, warned of possible sporadic cases elsewhere as students return home for Easter. He outlined three scenarios: the outbreak remains contained in Kent; students incubating the disease cause small clusters outside the county; or a worst-case scenario of another cluster, though he said this is highly unlikely.
Dr Michael Head of the University of Southampton suggested adding MenB to routine year 9 jabs, building on existing school-based immunisation. However, Professor Andy Pollard of the University of Oxford doubted the JCVI would recommend expansion, citing Treasury cost-effectiveness constraints.
The family of Juliette Kenny, a teenager who died on 15 March, is campaigning for routine access to the meningitis B vaccine for teenagers. Her father Michael Kenny said: “No family should experience this pain and tragedy,” and called for “lasting change” as her legacy.
