The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned that more deadly outbreaks of meningitis could occur, urging young people to get vaccinated against the “devastating” illness. The warning comes after figures showed hundreds of thousands of those eligible for the meningitis vaccine are yet to take up the offer.
The call follows a one-off vaccination programme launched in the summer after meningitis outbreaks left three young people dead. The UKHSA warned that “similar outbreaks could occur again”, with studies highlighting how “unpredictably dangerous new strains” of meningitis B can arise.
Higher risk for university students
Research has found that the risk for students in their first year of university is around seven times higher than young people of a similar age who do not go to university. Health experts say students are at a higher risk due to “social mixing patterns”.
Year 13 pupils and those under 25 starting university this autumn have been offered the menB vaccine through pharmacies. However, new figures show that just 26.6 per cent of Year 13 pupils had taken up the offer by September 20.
This means 212,549 have been vaccinated out of 799,840 eligible.
Vaccination programme details
The UKHSA said eligible people should have two doses of the jab as soon as possible, which can be booked on the NHS website. The programme will run until March 31 next year, and cases tend to peak in October to November.
Dr Sharif Ismail, UKHSA consultant epidemiologist, said: “We know how devastating meningitis B can be.
“The outbreaks in England this year tragically caused three deaths and left some who survived now facing lifelong health consequences. There is a particular risk for students in their first year of university.
“Our recent genomics study also highlights how suddenly and unpredictably dangerous new strains of meningitis B can emerge, such as the one seen in the Kent outbreak. This means that similar outbreaks could occur again.
“The menB vaccine offer for students and young people is under way – it’s vital everyone eligible gets two doses of the vaccine to be protected. Don’t regret not getting vaccinated – book in for yours now.”
Kent outbreak and vaccine effectiveness
Juliette Kenny, 18, died in the Kent outbreak in March of this year, and her family have been campaigning for teenagers and young people to be routinely given access to the menB vaccine.
The Kent outbreak was the fastest growing and largest seen in the UK, and other smaller clusters of meningitis in young people since then have been bigger than expected.
Data suggests the menB jab is highly effective, providing strong protection for at least five years after vaccination.
NHS England’s director of vaccination, Caroline Temmink, said: “We want to reach more young people, which is why the offer of menB vaccination remains in place at high street pharmacies across the country, and we’re encouraging anyone who is eligible, particularly young people starting university for the first time, to come forward and get protected as soon as possible.”
