Meningitis

Posted on March 19th, 2026

Understandably we have had a lot of queries this week regarding meningitis vaccinations given the current meningitis B outbreak in Kent.

The meningitis B vaccine was brought into routine childhood vaccines from 1st September 2015 onwards. For children born prior to this date they will not have received meningitis B as part of their schedule. There are no current changes to the vaccine schedule advised by public health – as such we cannot currently give these vaccinations if your child was born before this date. If and when that changes eligible patients will be contacted.

Prophylactic antibiotics are currently being offered to:
-Students at Canterbury campus,
-All staff who live in the affected halls of residence,
-Anyone who attended Club Chemistry on 5th, 6th and 7th March
-Those who have been in close contact of any of the above people.

Please contact UKHSA immediately on the number below, or let us know, if you feel you are a close contact and have not been treated.
If you are a close contact please be alert to symptoms of meningococcal disease and septicaemia (including fever, headache, rash, vomiting, limb pain, cold hands/feet, drowsiness or rapid deterioration) and call 999 or attend A&E immediately.

If you have further questions call the UKHSA (UK Health Security Agency) on 03442252861 and select option 5 (option dedicated to meningitis queries).

More information about all the NHS vaccinations against meningitis is available here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/meningitis/vaccination/