Meningitis B outbreak: what you need to know  

Note: this blog post concerns a developing outbreak and will be updated regularly.   

There is currently an outbreak of meningococcal disease (MenB) in Kent. This blog post includes information on MenB and this outbreak, what to do and where you can get antibiotics if you are affected and who is being offered a vaccine.  

What is meningococcal disease? 

Meningococcal disease is a serious but uncommon illness caused by meningococcal bacteria. It can lead to meningitis - inflammation of the lining of the brain - and sepsis (blood poisoning). The onset can be sudden, which is why knowing the signs and symptoms, and acting quickly, is so important. There are multiple strains of meningococcal bacteria - MenA, MenB, MenC, MenW, MenX, MenY. 

What cases have we identified in the current outbreak? 

The current outbreak in Kent has been linked to the MenB strain. The latest case numbers can be found here. Sadly, 2 people have died. 

How is the disease spread?  

Transmission of  MenB requires close and prolonged contact to spread including living in the same household and intimate contact such as kissing or sharing drinks or vapes. The bacteria are not as contagious as other infections such as measles and COVID-19.  

Who is being offered antibiotics? 

Precautionary antibiotics (also called prophylaxis) are being offered to anyone who went to Club Chemistry in Canterbury, Kent on 5, 6 or 7 March, to students at the University of Kent and to people who are close contacts of those who are confirmed or suspected to have meningitis. 

If you have been offered preventative antibiotics, it is strongly recommended that you take them promptly. If you are a student at the University of Kent who is eligible but has since returned home, contact your local GP, who will be able to provide advice and prescribe the appropriate treatment. There are sufficient antibiotic stocks at the university, in local hospitals, and with the ambulance service. 

Antibiotics can be collected at the following locations:  

Vicarage Lane Clinic, Ashford, TN23 1NJ - Wednesday, 18 March, 9am to 4pm and Thursday, 19 March, 8.30am to 7.30pm. 

Senate Building, University of Kent, CT2 7NZ - open daily from 9am to 5pm. 

Gate Clinic, Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Ethelbert Road, Canterbury CT1 3NG - open daily from 8.30am to 8pm. 

Thanet Community Health Hub, Northwood Road, Broadstairs, CT10 2WA - open daily from 8.30am to 8pm (last patient 7.30pm). 

Westgate Hall, Westgate Hall Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2BT - open daily from 8.30am to 7.30pm. 

There is more information from the University of Kent here.

Who is being offered the MenB vaccine? 

A targeted vaccination programme is being introduced in direct response to this outbreak. Vaccination will begin with students living in Canterbury Campus Halls of Residence at the University of Kent. 

The vaccination programme may be expanded as UKHSA continues to assess the risk to other groups, and further advice on additional cohorts will be provided in the coming days.  There are sufficient MenB vaccine stocks and we are working with local partners to ensure effective distribution to those who need it. 

Would you advise people to pay for a vaccine now?   

All the necessary preventative measures are being taken at this stage and the key action to follow is to take preventative antibiotics if you are offered. We are keeping the vaccination offer under review. 

What is the risk to the wider public?    

The risk of infection to the wider population remains low but we are actively looking for contacts of people who have MenB (contact tracing) and offering preventative antibiotics to those in close contact with cases.    

How does the MenB vaccine work? 

The MenB vaccine helps protect individuals from becoming seriously ill with meningococcal B disease. It works by helping the immune system recognise and fight the MenB bacteria if you come into contact with it. 

It is important to know that the MenB vaccine does not protect against all strains of meningococcal disease, nor against all infections that can cause meningitis. It also differs from the MenACWY vaccine in that it does not prevent the bacteria from being carried and spread in the community, and so it is important that everyone who is offered the vaccine takes it to protect themselves from becoming seriously ill. 

The MenB vaccine was added to the NHS immunisation schedule for infants in 2015, providing protection for babies and young children in the UK. It is separate from the MenACWY. 

If you are a teenager or young adult born before 1 May 2015, you will not have received the MenB vaccine as part of the NHS schedule. 

What about the MenACWY vaccine – does that protect me in this outbreak? 

The MenACWY vaccine, which is routinely offered to teenagers in school Years 9 and 10, provides good protection against several strains of meningococcal disease. However, it does not protect against MenB. This is why it is important for everyone - regardless of vaccination status - to be aware of the signs and symptoms and seek help urgently if they are concerned. 

I am not in the eligible group - what should I do? 

If you are not currently being offered the vaccine, the risk to the wider public remains low. The MenB bacteria is not as contagious as infections such as measles or COVID-19, and transmission requires close and prolonged contact - such as living in the same household or intimate contact like kissing. 

Meningitis has many causes. If you are not eligible for the MenB vaccine, you should still make sure you are up to date with the MMR and MenACWY vaccines, which help protect against other causes of meningitis.    

The MenACWY vaccine is offered in school, usually in Year 9. If you have missed the MenACWY vaccine in school, you can get a free catch-up vaccine from your GP surgery. 

Is the MenB vaccine safe? 

The MenB vaccine has been thoroughly tested and meets strict safety criteria. It has been routinely used in the infant vaccination programme in the UK since 2015 and has led to 75% reduction in MenB disease in vaccinated groups. The MenB vaccine has a good safety profile.   

Are there any side effects from the MenB vaccine?  

Like all medicines, the MenB vaccine can have side effects but not everyone gets them. Side effects show the vaccine is teaching the body’s immune system how to protect itself from the disease. 

Common side effects of the MenB vaccine are usually mild and do not last long. They can include:  

a fever   redness, swelling or tenderness around the injection site    nausea and diarrhoea   headache, malaise and muscle pain  

These normally clear up within 1 or 2 days of vaccination. You can take a dose of over-the-counter paracetamol to alleviate symptoms if you have them. More serious side effects are very rare.  

Why are antibiotics being used in the outbreak? 

Antibiotics play a crucial role in the response to this outbreak in 2 distinct ways. 

1. Preventative antibiotics (prophylaxis) are being offered to close contacts of confirmed cases as a precautionary measure to help limit further spread. This includes some students at the University of Kent and anyone who visited Club Chemistry on 5, 6 or 7 March.  

2. Antibiotics given to treat an infection are used when someone has already become ill. For MenB, prompt treatment with antibiotics is critical - which is why seeking urgent medical help at the first sign of symptoms is so important. 

Antibiotics are not being offered to all students at this stage. The outbreak response is focused on close contacts and those who have attended settings assessed as high risk. Advice on antibiotics has been issued to  staff and students at the University of Kent, and antibiotics are available at a number of distribution sites on campus. 

What can I do to protect myself and my children from meningitis if I am not in the locality affected by the outbreak? 

The most important thing you can do is know the symptoms and act quickly if they appear. 

Symptoms to look out for include: 

a rash that does not fade when pressed with a glass  sudden onset of high fever  severe and worsening headache  stiff neck  vomiting and diarrhoea  joint and muscle pain  dislike of bright lights  very cold hands and feet  seizures  confusion or delirium  extreme sleepiness or difficulty waking 

If you or someone you know develops these symptoms, seek medical help urgently by going to your nearest A&E or calling 999. If a friend goes to bed unwell, check on them regularly. Early treatment can be lifesaving. 

You can also contact your GP or call NHS 111 if you are concerned, but do not wait - call 999 in an emergency. 

Why don't you offer a  MenB  vaccine to teenagers and young adults?     

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) makes decisions on vaccination programmes following careful consideration of independent expert advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The JCVI does not currently recommend a routine MenB booster vaccination for adolescents and young adults. The JCVI routinely reviews new evidence as it emerges and UKHSA will be advising that the JCVI considers this most recent outbreak to confirm their latest advice.  UKHSA will provide further advice on other cohorts in due course.  

Where can I find further support?  NHS: www.nhs.uk/conditions/meningitis  Meningitis Research Foundation: www.meningitis.org | 0808 800 3344 (24 hours)  Meningitis Now: www.meningitisnow.org | 0808 80 10 388 (9am to 8pm) 

UKHSA is updating case numbers daily at 9.30am. We will continue to share information as it becomes available. 

https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/03/18/meningitis-b-outbreak-what-you-need-to-know/

seen at 16:38, 18 March in UK Health Security Agency.