Outbreak Of Men B

Dear Patient,
We are currently experiencing a significant increase in calls and emails from patients regarding the men B outbreak, which is impacting our ability to manage routine and acute clinical demand. We are still awaiting formal communication from Public Health England/UKHSA to ensure that any information we share is accurate and consistent. 
At present, we have not received confirmation that this is a commissioned service for general practice and vaccine supplies remain extremely limited nationally.
  1. Practices are not currently able to offer meningitis B vaccination due to national supply constraints
  2. Patients should not contact practices by phone for vaccine enquiries and instead use email where necessary
  3. We will gather email requests and will contact patients if and when vaccine stock becomes available
  4. Safety netting advice needs to be that patients should continue to seek urgent medical advice if clinically unwell
Meningitis B outbreak: what you need to know
Health alert — 18 March 2026 Meningococcal disease outbreak linked to University of Kent and Canterbury
What has happened:
Between 13 and 16 March 2026, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed 15 cases of invasive meningococcal disease in the South East of England. Most cases involve students from the University of Kent and sixth-form students from local secondary schools in the Canterbury area. A number of cases are linked to attendance at a Canterbury nightclub (Club Chemistry) on 5–7 March. Two people have sadly died. The situation is being actively monitored and guidance may be updated.
This outbreak is centred in Canterbury. UKHSA and local clinics in Kent are leading the response.
Symptoms to be aware of:
Meningococcal disease can cause meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning). Symptoms can develop rapidly and may include:
  • Fever
  • Severe headache
  • Rash that does not fade under a glass
  • Vomiting
  • Cold hands and feet
  • Limb pain
  • Drowsiness or confusion
  • Rapid deterioration
If you or someone you are with develops these symptoms Call 999 immediately. Do not wait. Early treatment saves lives
Who is eligible for preventive antibiotics (chemoprophylaxis):
Preventive antibiotics are not for the general public. They are for specific close contacts only, as defined by UKHSA. This includes:
  • Students living on Canterbury campus (University of Kent)
  • Staff living or working in affected halls of residence
  • Anyone who attended Club Chemistry in Canterbury on 5th, 6th or 7th March 2026
  • Close contacts directly identified by UKHSA
If you fall into one of these groups please contact the UKHSA on 03442253861. For all other patients, preventive antibiotics are not currently indicated.
Vaccination: what you should know:
There are several meningitis vaccines offered free on the NHS. No single vaccine protects against all strains, which is why awareness of symptoms remains important regardless of vaccination status.
MenB vaccine Offered to babies at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, and 1 year. Added to the NHS schedule in 2015 – if you were born before 1 May 2015, you will not have received this as part of the NHS programme. There is currently no NHS catch-up programme for MenB.
MenACWY vaccine Routinely offered to teenagers in school Years 9 and 10 (around age 14). Protects against strains A, C, W and Y, but not MenB. If you missed your adolescent dose, you can receive it free on the NHS up to your 25th birthday.
A note on vaccination queries We are aware that many patients are getting in touch about their vaccination status in response to this outbreak. At present, we have not received instruction from NHS England to undertake any additional catch-up vaccination programme in response to this specific outbreak. If you are under 25 and believe you have missed your routine MenACWY dose, please raise this at your next routine appointment and we will check and update your records at that time.
Further information and support:
For general advice and queries, the following resources are available:
NHS 111 — for urgent health advice
111.nhs.uk
NHS — meningitis information
nhs.uk/conditions/meningitis
Meningitis Research Foundation
meningitis.org
Meningitis Now
meningitisnow.org
Many Thanks
Practice Manager
Afsaneh Oladi

Published on 19 March 2026