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Meningococcal Disease

Find most of the information you need in these resources

Always refer to your local signed PGD's in practice, and remember the Green Book takes priority over the SPmC - and sometimes WHO takes priority over the Green Book! They don't always say the same!

FOR THE GONORRHOEA MENB VACCINE PROGRAMME INFO PLEASE GO TO THE GONORRHOEA PORTAL

Recent Updates & News

  • 14th May: Oh no!! another MenB death: Student dies and two people being treated after meningitis outbreak in Reading (not the same strain of MenB as Kent).

  • 30th April 2026: Resources and information have been published relating to the UKHSA's investigation of the meningococcal bacteria carriage amongst the students aged 18 to 24 in Kent which will be taking place from May 2026.

  • April 2026: This month it's second MenB dose time for the eligible Kent students. It is important that everyone who had dose one is given their second dose from four weeks after the first. For those who were offered the MenB vaccine and have not yet received their first dose they remain eligible until 8 May. For students who have returned to university, they will be able to access their second dose at vaccination clinics which are arranged in the local area. For those students who have not returned to the university, they should access vaccination at their own GP practice.

  • 25th March 2026: Kent meningitis outbreak prompts rush for routine vaccinations in England

  • 23rd March 2026: Meningitis: Kent outbreak “passes peak” as one new suspected case is reported in northwest England (BMJ). More than 9300 young people have now received vaccinations as part of the targeted rollout, with more than 12 700 given preventive antibiotics. This is a pretty incredible effort, well done to those who got on it quickly.

  • 21st March 2026: A meningitis B training slide set for healthcare professionals delivering vaccinations is available to download.

  • 20th March 2026: MenB strain may have evolved to be more transmissible (BMJ)

  • 19th March 2026: Meningococcal disease outbreak resources for those in areas affected by the outbreak: resources to support the meningococcal outbreak response. The Health Secretary says he’s making 20 thousand more vaccines available and vaccination has been extended to everyone who has been offered preventative antibiotic treatment as part of this outbreak..

Look out for contacts all across the UK (students are heading home and that could be ANYWHERE): All GP surgeries can offer MenB vaccine to certain groups. At the present time, this includes:

  • Students at the University of Kent who are normally resident on the Canterbury Campus, including those who may have now travelled home. Some staff living or working in these Halls of Residence have also been offered antibiotic prophylaxis.

  • Students in relevant halls of residence or other private dwellings who attend other universities in Canterbury and have been advised to take an antibiotic due to a close contact.

  • Individuals who attended Club Chemistry from 5 March until it closed voluntarily on March 16.

This list may be added to in the coming days as further information emerges.

Sixth form or other year groups and education settings in Kent where there are confirmed or probable cases are also eligible and have been notified by schools or UKHSA. Local arrangements are in place to offer vaccination to this group. Anyone in an eligible groups who presents can be vaccinated across the country. UKHSA are asking that an offer is in place by no later than Monday 23 March, if not sooner.

horrid meningococcal diseasehorrid meningococcal disease

4 month old baby with gangrene of hands due to meningococcemia. Image reference on hyperlink on photo. Click on it to see more pictures (if you dare).

Bits and bobs to casually drop into conversation

Did you know....

  • There are 13 different types of the bacterium. Six of these - types A, B, C, W, X and Y - cause most of the disease cases worldwide.

  • The most common types in the UK are B, C, W and Y.

  • Since the MenC vaccine was introduced in the UK in 1999, there has been a big fall in MenC cases.

  • Most of the cases in the UK are currently caused by type B.

  • Since 2009, cases of MenW disease have been on the increase in the UK

  • Overall, 1 in 20 cases of meningococcal disease result in death. Death rates are higher for teenagers and young adults.

  • 1 in 5 survivors have permanent effects such as skin scars, limb amputation(s), hearing loss, seizures and brain damage.

  • Between 5% and 11% of adults carry the bacteria in their throats asymptomatically. In teenagers this rate rises to 25%,

  • All visitors to the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages in Saudi Arabia need proof that they have been vaccinated against type A, C, W and Y meningococcal disease - within the last 5 years.

Useful YouTube channel