You may have read recent media coverage concerning a very serious outbreak of meningitis in Kent and we understand your concern. There is no evidence that this outbreak has spread further in the UK.
But it is still important to be aware of the symptoms of meningitis and sepsis. They can appear suddenly and be easily mistaken for flu, a heavy cold or even a hangover, so it is vital that anyone who is concerned seeks urgent medical help immediately.
The UK routine immunisation schedule now protects against some types of meningitis and your children will be invited for these at the correct age. The NHS is not able to give vaccinations outside of this schedule.
You can read more about common signs and vaccines here – Meningitis – Vaccination – NHS
Useful information:
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I am concerned about symptoms of meningitis or septicaemia?
The meningitis outbreak in Kent is a very local outbreak and there is no evidence that this outbreak has spread further in the UK.
If you or someone you know develops symptoms of meningitis or septicemia, seek medical help urgently by going to the nearest Accident and Emergency department 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. Call 999 in an emergency.
Can I get a vaccine for meningitis?
The Meningitis B vaccine was introduced in 2015 and is available to anyone up to 2 years of age (over half of all meningitis B cases occur in preschool children). A specialist independent committee of experts (JCVI) advises the Department of Health and Social Care on which vaccines should be given having carefully considered all the evidence. Currently they do not recommend giving meningitis B vaccines after 2 years, other than making an exception to target those who may have been affected by the outbreak in Kent.The practice is not able to make any exceptions.
Similarly, the standard vaccinations given before school age includes protection against other causes of meningitis, including Meningitis C, Haemophilus, Pneumococcus and Mumps. The Meningits ACWY vaccine is given to young adults in school years 9 and 10. It protects against the most common causes of meningitis in teenagers and young adults (remembering that meningitis is not common.) None of these though protect against meningitis B and there are some other causes, so it is important to know the signs and seek help if you are concerned.
What if I have missed vaccines?
Firstly , look at the vaccine schedule (see link higher in this post) to see what you or your child are entitled to. You can use the NHS App to check what vaccines are you or your child has had. If you don’t have access, pop in an econsult and someone can check (we have had a number of queries, so it may take a few days to get back to you).
Some vaccines there is a cut off, like the meningitis B (can’t be given after 2 years) and the rotavirus (can’t be given after 23 weeks of age). If your child is still in school and missed the meningitis ACWY, tetanus booster, or HPV, then contact the School Vaccination service on 0191 4028179. For the preschool vaccines, such as MMR, contact the practice.