Health officials are increasingly confident that a meningitis outbreak in Kent has been contained, with no cases emerging outside the original cluster of 20. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed that all cases remain linked to the Canterbury area, where the outbreak began.
The strain responsible has been identified as a known form of meningitis B, meaning the MenB vaccine offered to 5,000 University of Kent students is expected to be effective. Hundreds of students received the jab on Wednesday, alongside antibiotics and contact tracing efforts.
One of the 20 cases became unwell in London, and another in France, but both had recently visited Canterbury. A multi-agency official said: "We may have contained it. There are no cases popping up elsewhere that we know of."
Canterbury Christ Church University confirmed a case in a student believed to be part of the original cluster. The university said it had followed UKHSA advice and informed close contacts to receive antibiotics.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting denied vaccine shortages, but pharmacy groups reported being inundated with requests for MenB jabs, with most pharmacies lacking stock. The National Pharmacy Association said some staff faced abuse from frustrated patients.
Streeting has asked the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation to review whether MenB vaccination eligibility, currently limited to babies, should be extended to under-18s and young adults. The UKHSA has alerted NHS doctors to watch for meningitis symptoms and use protective equipment when treating suspected cases.
