NHS to offer second MenB vaccine after deadly Kent outbreak

NHS to Offer Second MenB Vaccine Following Kent Outbreak

Following a meningitis B outbreak in Kent, nearly 12,000 individuals who received the first dose of the vaccine will be invited for a second injection starting next week. The campaign targets those potentially exposed, including university students and school pupils in the region. Two fatalities and 19 confirmed cases were reported during the incident.

Vaccination Rollout Details

Appointments for the second dose will be available at clinics in Canterbury, Faversham, and Ashford. Eligible individuals can book via an online system, with additional information set to be released on Monday. The NHS has expanded the program to multiple locations, ensuring broader access.

“This outbreak was unprecedented due to the rapid spread among a large number of people,” said Health Secretary Wes Streeting.

Outbreak Impact

The affected groups include students in Kent’s university halls and attendees of a nightclub linked to the outbreak. Later, other sixth-form students from schools with confirmed cases were also included. Preventative antibiotics were distributed to a larger cohort, with long lines observed at the University of Kent over several days.

Historical Context

A routine MenB vaccination program was introduced in the UK in 2015, focusing on babies and young children. At that time, UK advisers concluded that vaccinating teenagers was not cost-effective. Instead, teenagers received the MenACWY vaccine, which covers four bacterial strains but excludes MenB.

Due to the recent surge in cases, Streeting requested a reassessment of the decision by experts at the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), highlighting the need for updated strategies.