We understand that recent news reports about the meningitis outbreak in Kent may be concerning for parents and staff working with children and young people. Advice from UKHSA is that there is no baseline increased risk outside of the specific outbreak in Kent at this time and currently there is no need for any additional actions beyond routine good practice.
This includes the importance of keeping routine vaccinations up to date, including the MenACWY vaccine where applicable.
The practice is able to provide MenACWY vaccination to those aged 14 years up to their 25th birthday. This offer is opportunistic or if requested by the individual. This includes those who may have missed vaccination via the school immunisation programme, or those who are attending university for the first time Eligible patients must be under the age of 25 years at the time of vaccination.
The school immunisation team will continue to offer any outstanding MenACWY doses up until the end of Year 11.
GP practices are able to offer the MenACWY to those who may have missed the school programme and are between the ages of 14 to 25 years old and those aged between 19 and 25 year who are attending University for the first time.
Some of the cases in this specific outbreak have been identified as MenB (Cases of invasive meningococcal disease confirmed in Kent. Men B vaccine is offered at 8 weeks, 12 weeks and 1 year of age. Current routine UK immunisation guidance does not advise giving Men B vaccine after 2 years of age.
If a suspected case of meningitis were ever identified in your setting, the Health Protection Team would advise you directly on immediate steps, communication, and any required risk assessment.
Further information on meningococcal disease is available from:
• The NHS: www.nhs.uk/conditions/meningitis/
• The Meningitis Research Foundation: www.meningitis.org 0808 800 3344 (24 hours)
• Meningitis Now: www.meningitisnow.org 0808 80 10 388 (9am – 8pm)
Meningitis Now | Meningitis charity | Research and awareness