NHS to offer second MenB vaccine after deadly Kent outbreak
Expanded vaccination campaign targets at-risk groups amid urgent health response
NHS is set to provide a second MenB vaccination to nearly 12,000 individuals who received the first dose following a meningitis B outbreak in Kent. The initiative will begin next week, targeting those who may have been exposed to the bacteria, including university students and schoolchildren in the area. Two doses are required for full protection against the disease, with the second shot administered at least four weeks after the initial one.
Vaccination centers are launching in Canterbury, Faversham, and Ashford, allowing eligible individuals to book appointments online. The program initially focused on students residing in Kent’s university halls and attendees of a nightclub linked to the outbreak. Subsequent eligibility expanded to include sixth form students at schools where cases were confirmed, as well as others deemed at risk.
“This outbreak has been unprecedented due to the rapid spread of infection,” said Health Secretary Wes Streeting.
Two fatalities, including a 21-year-old university student and a sixth form pupil named Juliette Kenny, were reported after contracting the disease. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) declared a national incident to coordinate resources like antibiotic supplies. Preventative antibiotics were extended to a broader group, with long queues forming at the University of Kent over several days as people waited for treatment.
The MenB vaccine protects against most meningococcal group B strains in the UK. Since 2015, the country has implemented a standard immunization schedule for babies and young children, but teenagers received the MenACWY vaccine instead. UK health advisers previously concluded that a catch-up campaign for teens was not cost-effective. However, the recent outbreak prompted a review of this decision by independent experts on the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
More details on booking procedures will be released starting Monday, with NHS Kent and Medway confirming multiple clinics and hubs will be available for the second dose. The campaign highlights the ongoing efforts to address the outbreak’s impact on community health.
